Something I Found: Christ’s Birth (Update)

It is amazing what in influences our minds. It is these things that help to build our belief system. It is well know that Hollywood is a lucrative entertainment hamlet and cares less about how its outputs affect the world. The Word of God is not left out of the concepts that are twisted to misinform and disinform the watching gullible public. Here is come information I found from reading about Christ’s birth in the Bible.

1. The account of Jesus birth, many will believe, is not found in all for gospels. Only Matthew and Luke accounts for His birth.

2. Many people already know this, but the number of wise men that went in search of our dear Lord Jesus was no mentioned.

3. In the account of Christ’s birth, Matthew only mentioned the wise men and not the shepherds.

4. In the account of Christ's birth, Luke only mentioned the shepherds and not the wise men.

5. Only the wise men followed a star, the shepherds followed the instructions of the angels.

6. The wise men did not meet the shepherds and did not find Jesus in a manger, they found Him in a house. Extra reading points to the fact that He was 40 days old (either 1 month and 9 days or 1 month and 10) old.

7. Unlike what books and movies depict, the wise men and the shepherds did not meet each other at the manger.

8. Jesus was not born on a cold winters night. Books bequeath such falsies to young children that inevitably causes perversion of the true story. Below is an example 

Above can be seen pictures taken by cousin phone. It is a children’s book. My friend, who has a daughter, gave her child the book. This is not to contest the morality of the mother (this can be easily correct by telling the child the true story), but to show how subtle erroneous concepts  of Christ birth is spread.

Read Matt 1:18-25, 2:1-23 and Luke 1:1-80, 2:1-22 for yourself and see.

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Hope This Helps: Outside Appearance, Index to the Mind

As you walk the path of life as a Christian, you will of course witness to others. This is either done verbally or non-verbally. Your main book of reference is the Bible. The problem arises however when you have a point, and the only way to solidify it into the mind of the receiver is to quote from the Bible. The conflict comes when the text will just not come to mind, but it on the tip of your tongue.

In regards to attire/dress, especially in women, texts such as 1 Peter 3:3-4 and 1 Timothy 2:9 have been used so often, they are now seen as clichés. Its sad that a verse from the bible can not convince individuals anymore. One has to see “THOU SHALT NOT WEAR TIGHT CLOTHING AS A CHRISTIAN” to stop displaying such a demeanor. This is a sad world.

I read those verses, and it led me to other verses in the Bible. One such verse is Isaiah 3:16-26. The Bible is not just stories, a lot of the text can be explained by reading the background of the text. You will be surprised with your findings. I can now safely say I can proof that Christians should not where make up (face paint, eyeliners, eye shadow, rings, plastic/metal bracelets etc.). Such things have been a burden of mine for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG while, but I wanted to be as convincing as possible when I present it to anyone. (NB: THIS NOTE THAT WAS NOT WRITTEN TO BE THE MOST CONVINCING, IT IS JUST TO NOTIFY OTHERS OF MY DISCOVERY). If most people read the last verse aforementioned, they might see no relevance in me stating it. Let me just say as Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” It is said that we should not judge, but ones attire helps others to make a good assumption of what your character is like. Act contrary to your attire and others will be confused.

Below I chose to leave a few words from Ellen. The quote is from the book Messages To Young People. I did not to put the pages, as they were sited from many.

“Many deceive themselves in thinking that good looks and a gay attire will gain for them consideration in the world. But the charms that consist only in the outward apparel are shallow and changeable; no dependence can be placed upon them. The adorning with Christ enjoins upon His followers will never fade. If half the time spent by the youth in making themselves attractive in outward appearances were given to soul-culture, to the inward adorning, what a difference would be seen in their deportment, words, and actions. Those who are truly seeking to follow Christ will have conscientious scruples in regard to the dress they wear; they will strive to meet the requirements of this injunction so plainly given by the Lord. The outside appearance is frequently an index to the mind, and we should be careful what signs we hang out for the world to judge of our faith. If the world introduces a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God or to the world to adopt such a style of dress. Christians should follow Christ, and conform their dress to God's word. They should shun extremes.”

Your Friend,

Ellen

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Godly Allusions: Lady’s Shoes (Written By Joel W. Jackson)

Pffffffffftttt...

That's the sound a tire makes when it's punctured.
Recently, our faithful family sports wagon [I call her Lady Blue] had a rusty nail jammed into one of her aging black shoes. Upset, she was, to be staggering on a broken heel, so we decided to get her all fixed up for her next date on the road. Tonight, while reflecting on life, I remembered Lady Blue's right rear shoe and how tedious the repair was: remove wheel from car, remove tire from wheel [which was pretty cool], locate the breach, seal the breach [ a process that is much longer than the three-word statement implies], wait, wait, wait...wait, check tire for more breaches, smile with approval, reunite tire with wheel, reunite wheel with car. In about 20 minutes, the Lady was no longer a one-quarter Tramp. Good as new...or so the surface implied.
You see, although she now has another forty to sixty days added to her patched shoe, the damage done really isn't gone. It's still there. Just covered up. Furthermore, although the patchwork was done from the inside-out, due to its frailty, what's to say another intrusion won't occur in the same spot? But hey, what do I know? As Paul said, I speak as a man.

What I do know is this: many times we go to God for our regular patchwork, but never for the new tire. We engross ourselves in spiritual boosts in the form of music, a little devotional, a chat with a good friend, or maybe a quick prayer to Talk the guilt away. Humans are burdened beings; they really are, and it's because of our luggage that Jesus sends out a special invitation to all who will heed: come and rest [Matthew 11:28 - 30]. What's key [and quite ironic] about this passage is that, while calling us into relief, Christ actually urges us to latch His yoke around our necks; but (!) it's in doing this that we actually find the rest we need. And that, right there, is the issue we sometimes miss.

The Christian life is nothing more than a series of selfless recommitments to God: you wake up and redo everything you did when you first met God; the "fo-real" met God. No matter how tiny the matter may seem, no matter how insignificant it is to you, God's concerned about even the little things which threaten your relationship with Him because His mission is complete and utter purification of your character. As a result, God doesn't do patchwork: He makes a brand new tire. If the clay is marred or torn, ignoring however minute the tear may be, He takes up the clay and starts all over again. It's God we're talking about here. Hiss profession is Perfection.

 
Wondering why you can't get over that one sin? Or why life just isn't going the way you'd expect it? Or why, as a Christian, that guilt just won't go away? Permanently? Buy from Him gold tried in the fire [Rev. 3:18] and don't just spare some loose change for a quick fix. According to the Word, the greatest hurdle we'll ever face is ourselves as, once we've acknowledged our inadequacies and anchored our decisions in Christ, all other things will seem, well, insignificant: take My yoke, then you'll find Rest.
Until that black shoe's purchased, Lady Blue will always be on red-alert. She needs a new one: not a patch, not even an excellent second-hand. However, Blue isn't promised immunity once she does get her new toy. No. The good news is, if she ever gets a rip in her shoe again, the tire shop is always there: willing and able to deliver a new one.

 
No questions asked.

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The Vox: Probation

Most of us know what probation is. We may link it to time given to a prisoner who has been on their p’s and q’s and are deemed in the eyes of the prison ward admin body, worthy to be placed in the world with careful eyes watching. However in regards to the spiritual being, we are all on probation period with God. We know that our probation closes when we die. However my question is: WHERE DID THE CONCEPT OF OUR PROBATION CLOSING BEFORE WE DIE COME FROM?

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Hope This Helps You: Did You Pay Your Light Bill (Inspired By Randell Bailey)

For those who live in Jamaica, the JPS (Jamaica Public Service) is a well known local energy provider. Light is a very important factor. As a matter fact, light is what God is (John 8:12). Last Sabbath a friend of mine, Randell, preached a sermon directly written for the youth. He found a way to weave the concept of paying one’s light bill and tie it to one’s spiritual life.

THE AD

So you are watching your TV, it JPS time and the ad starts. In bold letters, it can seen these words “DID YOU PAID PAID YOUR LIGHT BILL?” Soon after the lights start to flicker, associated with a distorted connection sound to give the the best effect as possible. Following that the screen goes blank. However the ad does not end (Randell made sure he pointed this out as many times as possible). The screen stays blank for a while then its back to normal television again.

Seeing this everyday on television can make such an ad a routine one. Soon after the ad losses its potency and a new one will have to be made to relay the same message. Let me however steer your mind to what he was saying, one that is of a spiritual context.

BREAKING IT DOWN
STAGE 1: CONSTANT CONNECTION

Bold lights with with a steady connection. This is a symbol of ones connection strength with the Almighty God. This strength as most may know, is acquired with earnest prayer and a dedicated life to God. So how do you know your connection strength? The preacher did not leave us in the dark (pun intended) on this. Matt 7:20 helps. It is a simple text with a profound meaning. We are rational humans (well most of the times), we know what good fruits are and what bad ones are. The good connection however must NEVER be said to be their own.

STAGE 2: RESISTANCE PRESENT

For those who know the game of IN THE RIVER ON THE BANK, you would know that you can’t be in the river or on the bank at the same time. The flickering lights signify a connection that is on a demising path. Think about it. When a room light starts to flicker, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It has to be a solution to fix it. It’s the same with our spiritual light. There is a problem however if left unattended. That is the first step to ignoring the Spirit. This neglect is seen by family, friends and others.

What will happen? Matt 7:17 states clearly what is the result of this neglect to heed the spirit. Since it is a process we will bare both fruits (good and bad) and people will start to wonder, until eventually all the fruits follow the vines nutrients of bad. This stage is reached through indulging in sin, exposing one’s self to anything that forms a resistance to God’s connection (pun intended again). At this time the conscience is in overdrive, the Holy Spirit tries His very best to get us back on track. But He helps those that help themselves. Left unfixed, one enters STAGE THREE.

STAGE 3: BLACKOUT

Matt 7:18 and 1John 1:6 helps us understand this stage. The presenter often says, “There is a difference in sinning and living a life of sin”. Confused? don't be. He is essentially stating that no one is perfect, but we strive for such a state. On our journey however, we may err but go straight to Jesus as we realize our wrong. We get up and start the race again, taking 1 John 1:9 as promise to heart.

Living a life of sin however is a different story. People reach here based on many factors. So engulfed would the person be by sin, that it becomes a way of life. His/Her ability to hear the Spirit is little to none, leaving them in a blackout.

This stage is the final one. It is a sign that connection is GONE, all gone. One’s fruits will be a sign to the others. Remember your fruits involve your deeds (dress, talk, walk, entertainment choices ect.)

GONE FOREVER?

About the connection being gone. There is hope. It is no man’s obligation to determine and condemn another’s life (even if the fruits seen are bad). Again the presenter left us with hope, letting us know that God can reverse this process. From Blackout to Flicker to Constant connection.

It is a message of self inspection. A time of meditation, a time to evaluate one connection, a time to see if we are influencing another’s life for good or bad, a time to see if our life’s are sustained by the Sovereign God or if we are just another pawn on the Devil’s chess board.

So, DID YOU PAY YOUR LIGHT BILL?

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Hope This Helps You: The Fly

Its not a quote but this story can't be more vivid. Its a simple story.

One day Fly was curious, curious. He noticed to the top of the roof there seemed to be a group of flies. Oh he wished he could join this HAPPY group. Why would he want to join? From his view he saw that they seemed to be having a good time. His friends were up there, and he had not seen them since they left. He believed that the place must be so much fun that they did not want to return.

For days he watched as the party got bigger and bigger. Flies were flogging from far and near. The party seemed to swing from left and right. He though, “That must be real fun, for so many to flock to one place and do not want to even leave”. He thought about it, and he made his decision, he was going to join in the fun. He could not afford to be left out.

On his way to the party, he met up on Mr. Spider.

Mr. Spider: “Where are you going fly?”

Fly: “I am going to the party”

Mr. Spider: “What party?”

Fly: “The one hanging from the roof, how can you miss that”

Mr. Spider: (Laughing) “Oohhh, that party”

Fly: “Yes”

Mr. Spider: “Well, I would not really want to go to that party at all”

Fly: “Why is that?”

Mr. Spider: “Well…”

Fly: “Hold on, you are just boring”

Mr. Spider: “Calm down and listen carefully”

Fly listens as best he can

Mr. Spider: “You hear that?”

Fly: “No”

Spider draws Fly closer to the “party”

Mr Spider: “Listen again”

Spider, come you wasting my time

Fly speeds off in anger and adrenalin. He heeds not the warning and heads to joins the party.

Upon reaching he landed in a group of strangers. He saw his friends over the other side. He decided he would go look give them a chat. So he flapped his wings to leave, but he could not leave. He was stuck, stuck to a a fly trap.

Spider told him to listen. But he did realize that he was telling him to listen to silence, a silence that indeed tells that is was not really what it looked like. There was no music. Many a times, we see the world from a far and see people having fun. They are for now, but one day they are going to want to leave the world of SIN and they are going to realize that it is going to be really hard to leave. The Lord forbid, that they are so caught up that God comes, and they would really be stuck. DO NOT LET THIS BE YOU.

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The Vox: Do You Think The Trap Set In Church Is Conforming To The World?

It is normal for many to see things happen, call it correct and follow the examples. Most times the logics or principles that would prevent one from doing such an even does not cross the mind. Or it does cross the mind but has a fleeting presence. Why is this so ? because many a times no probable danger is seen. A good friend of mine pointed out to me the other day something that I always saw, but her reading made it even more concrete.

As Christians we are suppose to be different from the world. She recalled (from her reading), that where ever you see a Buddhist Temple, Hindu Temple, Jewish Sanctuary or Catholic Church, it can be noted that their form of worship has has not evolved and it is the same all around the world. In essence,is not influenced by the world. People HAVE TO CONFORM to their form of worship, it is what makes them what they are. If these places of worship are placed in a secular area, it is more likely that they (the church) will influence. They make it a GREAT point of duty to pass down their ethics, such as to sustain their identity.

On the contrary, if a Christian church is placed in certain areas, most often our not the surrounding culture (minor or major) will influence so much that the style of worship is changed. Therefore a certain denomination in Africa will worship a certain way, but the same denomination in Ireland worships a different way. If one member on each country were to visit another, it would seem ALMOST like a total different worship experience in worship practices. Each would be saying, “In my country we don't do this or that.” Hence there is confusion among and sometimes conflict. Also, the un-looking world starts to scratch their heads as well, “Where is the unity” they say. Music is one known fact that has drastically been changing over the years. As the years roll on, more and more tinges and pinches of the world’s IDEA/CONCEPT of worship creep in. So I ask this question specifically about drums; Do You Think The Trap Set In Church Is Conforming To The World?

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