Interesting. I see the logic in all but "Happy are the spiritually loyal (poor), because they live in the Kingdom of Heaven." How did you equate spiritually loyal with poor?
My sister and I were speaking of the need for Sanctification and its great importance. Not an accident you mentioned it on the same day. Our on time God.
I will publish God Makes Us Holy sometime this year. It is on Sanctification, a wonderful process that many church denominations do not comprehend and many others preach against.
Why did Jesus use the word poor? He was not talking about a lack of wealth, as there were plenty of evil poor people. Why is it so difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom? I find the answer in loyalty. A rich person is less likely to change their spiritual viewpoint if it means loosing status or comfort. Many poor people are the same. Change is difficult. But a Spiritually Poor person gives up the pretense that they have status outside of God. They let Him change their inner being. Like little children, they learn and love His ways. They grow to be spiritually rich in the Kingdom only if they are loyal. Without loyalty, people say one thing and do another. Without loyalty, God spews us out of his mouth.
This question has pestered theologians for a very long time. Were Judas’ actions predestined? Prophesy said someone would. Jesus figured out who before it happened. Do any of us really have free will?
If we do not have free will, then God lied to us. The covenants, promises, and many prophecies have two outcomes dependent upon the people’s choices. God did not force Judas to follow Jesus any more than He forced him to steal from the group funds. The man’s judgment had good and bad days. Yes, Judas could have decided friendship was greater than silver. God lets people make wrong decisions. God will judge his heart.
God knows all the possibilities of every possible event. Many are less likely to occur then others, and some are sure bets. He knows the likelihood of any particular event happening. He can also focus multiple occurrences to produce a desired event.
Trees do not have a choice. Jesus was a human who lived within the randomness of God’s creation. He could have eaten before walking out into the country. He could have forgiven the tree. His choices took Him to a place where He learned a valuable lesson. In listening, He fulfilled prophecy.
Transferred from Facebook – James E Myers I stand rebuked for my words spoken in anger. I never had a good understanding of the cursed fig tree before. Now I can see it as an example of the power of faith and the power it gives.
Transferred from Facebook – Michael Edwards Fascinating and important concept. Do you think Jesus learned that from the fig tree incident, or that he already knew it would be for a parable? I am open to both ideas; just curious about your insight. And yes — this is a powerful call to temper our words and our heart!
I believe Jesus was 100% human and learned as He traveled life. If He knew everything, then He was not 100% human and the apostles were wrong. But as a human we humans can relate to Him and say we can be like Him. That said, He was/is also 100% God. He could not know everything the Father knows or His brain would melt. So, He relied on the Father to guide His ways and His words.
Transferred from Facebook – Kelley E. Myers That's really cool Jo. Usually when I encounter that passage it reminds me of a sermon I heard a while ago. The tree was in full leaf, out of season, and was " false advertising" its fruitfulness. Jesus was rightly angry at the tree for misrepresentation. It was then likened to a person who shows the appearance of Christianity, but not the spirit.
I really like the way you interpreted it though, thanks for the brain food!
I have heard the "out of season" story too. Learning about the growth habits of the tree is quite interesting, but I still never understood why He killed it. God is not in the habit of killing people on first sight just for doing bad things. Biblically, almost all transgressors are given 70 times 70 chances to repent, even for murder.
Transferred from Facebook – Iris Lynne Nibling Williams I really enjoyed your parable, especially the logic of linking the cursed tree to Jesus's parable of the fig tree. Great writing, again.
My favorite bit: "It rejected the honor and status attributed by wealth. He would no longer mingle with people he considered admirable, people who debated the authenticity of Jesus."
I love how you can take familiar stories and make the real.
Your first two books are (will be when published, but are now) terrific but I have a feeling this Ezekiel/Jesus book is the most powerful of them all. Well done. I want to throw away a comma, maybe a couple…well, three at the most. Great work
Aww, I learned so much about you in this post. I love the stories about your animals, especially the turkey and the goose. And the large puppy Underfoot. I hope you will post some pictures of the house as it comes together from the rock. I also loved the way you ended your post. A great read, Jo.
Ah, Jo. I love to hear your stories, even and sometimes especially the hard ones. You are beautifully transparent for a hermit. May your weekend be full of laughter and joy. No fear. I will miss the sound of welcome at Jo's house, quack quack…honk, just gobble gobble now.
Very well said. My Granddaddy Anderson gave 10%…and probably a lot more. Once when Mother and Aunt Lorice were young and they lived in Beeville, TX, he heard a Methodist evangelist named Bob Shuler speak on tithing and he decided to begin. The Texas Methodist naming him "Mr. Methodist" wrote:
"Once in 47 years, I was tempted to quit tithing," admits Joe ANDERSON, who is "Mr. Methodist" in Quanah, "but after I won that battle I have never been tempted again." The devil got his lick in when "Brother Joe" came out of the Navy after World War I and had a break down. He was without work for a while and finally was able to take a little job that provided enough to keep soul and body together. One day he made sales enough to clear $156.50. The youngsters were without shoes, and the family needed to spend the money on clothes. "For two weeks" the veteran tither recalls, "I held the Lord's money back playing with the idea of using it for ourselves, but finally I put it in my tithe box, and I have never been tempted since."
I know that some of his tithes too unusual forms. When he and Grandmother moved to a new house, the result was giving a house to the church to use for retired ministers. When the church in Acme closed, he bought the building and moved it to Quanah as a Senior Citizens Center.
You and Granddaddy have a lot in common, and I appreciate the article.
The blog you wrote poses several possible replies, but my main belief is that the Holy Bible translates into He Only Left You Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Some of the information is historical others are open to interpretation. Stories (parables) are meant to teach a lesson. The story of the prodigal son, for example teaches a dogma of reconciliation. If we do not reconcile with others, especially our own family, how can we reconcile with God? Forgiveness, love, repentance are all acts of the believer, and are NOT open to interpretation.
Forgiveness, love, and repentance are important acts of the believer, but denominations still interpret them differently. Which of the interpretations is correct? What makes one less correct? Without consideration and open debate, how do we know our view is even close to the best? What dogmatic belief does God want to remove?
The prodigal son story is not just reconciliation with family. Its main point is about God’s desire to reconcile with even the worst sinners because they are his beloved child. The ending highlights religious prejudices that promote condemnation instead of love and forgiveness, which is not condoned by God.
God’s basic instructions are all that he requires. Love God. Love self. Love neighbors. Love enemies. Most of the other instructions concerns what happens when people do not love. Believers add onto those negative instructions and forget the love. Those rules and traditions divide the church.
I'm so excited about your blog and looking forward to its growing in number and in readership. You've taken a major step here with an excellent entry.
Interesting. I see the logic in all but "Happy are the spiritually loyal (poor), because they live in the Kingdom of Heaven." How did you equate spiritually loyal with poor?
It's very well done. Thank you.
My sister and I were speaking of the need for Sanctification and its great importance. Not an accident you mentioned it on the same day. Our on time God.
I will publish God Makes Us Holy sometime this year. It is on Sanctification, a wonderful process that many church denominations do not comprehend and many others preach against.
Why did Jesus use the word poor? He was not talking about a lack of wealth, as there were plenty of evil poor people. Why is it so difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom? I find the answer in loyalty. A rich person is less likely to change their spiritual viewpoint if it means loosing status or comfort. Many poor people are the same. Change is difficult. But a Spiritually Poor person gives up the pretense that they have status outside of God. They let Him change their inner being. Like little children, they learn and love His ways. They grow to be spiritually rich in the Kingdom only if they are loyal. Without loyalty, people say one thing and do another. Without loyalty, God spews us out of his mouth.
That makes sense. Thanks!
Well done. We give lip service to a fully-human Jesus but then again, we never expect him to show that human side.
So, God knows everything, remembers the future, lives outside of time. So he set the tree up to die?
This question has pestered theologians for a very long time. Were Judas’ actions predestined? Prophesy said someone would. Jesus figured out who before it happened. Do any of us really have free will?
If we do not have free will, then God lied to us. The covenants, promises, and many prophecies have two outcomes dependent upon the people’s choices. God did not force Judas to follow Jesus any more than He forced him to steal from the group funds. The man’s judgment had good and bad days. Yes, Judas could have decided friendship was greater than silver. God lets people make wrong decisions. God will judge his heart.
God knows all the possibilities of every possible event. Many are less likely to occur then others, and some are sure bets. He knows the likelihood of any particular event happening. He can also focus multiple occurrences to produce a desired event.
Trees do not have a choice. Jesus was a human who lived within the randomness of God’s creation. He could have eaten before walking out into the country. He could have forgiven the tree. His choices took Him to a place where He learned a valuable lesson. In listening, He fulfilled prophecy.
Transferred from Facebook – James E Myers
I stand rebuked for my words spoken in anger. I never had a good understanding of the cursed fig tree before. Now I can see it as an example of the power of faith and the power it gives.
Transferred from Facebook – Michael Edwards
Fascinating and important concept. Do you think Jesus learned that from the fig tree incident, or that he already knew it would be for a parable? I am open to both ideas; just curious about your insight. And yes — this is a powerful call to temper our words and our heart!
I believe Jesus was 100% human and learned as He traveled life. If He knew everything, then He was not 100% human and the apostles were wrong. But as a human we humans can relate to Him and say we can be like Him. That said, He was/is also 100% God. He could not know everything the Father knows or His brain would melt. So, He relied on the Father to guide His ways and His words.
Transferred from Facebook – Kelley E. Myers
That's really cool Jo. Usually when I encounter that passage it reminds me of a sermon I heard a while ago. The tree was in full leaf, out of season, and was " false advertising" its fruitfulness. Jesus was rightly angry at the tree for misrepresentation. It was then likened to a person who shows the appearance of Christianity, but not the spirit.
I really like the way you interpreted it though, thanks for the brain food!
I have heard the "out of season" story too. Learning about the growth habits of the tree is quite interesting, but I still never understood why He killed it. God is not in the habit of killing people on first sight just for doing bad things. Biblically, almost all transgressors are given 70 times 70 chances to repent, even for murder.
Transferred from Facebook – Iris Lynne Nibling Williams
I really enjoyed your parable, especially the logic of linking the cursed tree to Jesus's parable of the fig tree. Great writing, again.
My favorite bit: "It rejected the honor and status attributed by wealth. He would no longer mingle with people he considered admirable, people who debated the authenticity of Jesus."
I love how you can take familiar stories and make the real.
Your first two books are (will be when published, but are now) terrific but I have a feeling this Ezekiel/Jesus book is the most powerful of them all. Well done. I want to throw away a comma, maybe a couple…well, three at the most. Great work
Powerful series of articles. Thought provoking. STRONG ending.
I love your writing. Obviously. And I love having been with you as the thought process worked through to this great article. Keep them coming!
I've read Jo's writing on this before. But I get new insight EVERY time. Thanks, Jo.
Thanks, Jo. Just read #4 and #5. Keep up the good work and put this out for us to see and, when we are willing, to hear.
Good job.
Without perfectionism matches perfectly? Grins. Another well written piece, very informative.
Fun idea…okay, fun truth…about sun/moon/stars and days/months/years.
So well explained! Thanks.
Well said!
And people we call evil he calls good.
I deliberately left that out hoping someone would make the connection. Thanks
Love that last line, "God made us to become His image, yet we were not the “image,” until we were able to think like God."
Love the line, " If the Bible totally ignores it, then is the interpretation more inspired then the text?"
Well said.
Aww, I learned so much about you in this post. I love the stories about your animals, especially the turkey and the goose. And the large puppy Underfoot. I hope you will post some pictures of the house as it comes together from the rock. I also loved the way you ended your post. A great read, Jo.
Thank you
Ah, Jo. I love to hear your stories, even and sometimes especially the hard ones. You are beautifully transparent for a hermit. May your weekend be full of laughter and joy. No fear. I will miss the sound of welcome at Jo's house, quack quack…honk, just gobble gobble now.
Well done, as usual, Jo.
I certainly recommend it!! Jo has turned the key to enable understanding.
Very well said. My Granddaddy Anderson gave 10%…and probably a lot more. Once when Mother and Aunt Lorice were young and they lived in Beeville, TX, he heard a Methodist evangelist named Bob Shuler speak on tithing and he decided to begin. The Texas Methodist naming him "Mr. Methodist" wrote:
"Once in 47 years, I was tempted to quit tithing," admits Joe ANDERSON, who is "Mr. Methodist" in Quanah, "but after I won that battle I have never been tempted again." The devil got his lick in when "Brother Joe" came out of the Navy after World War I and had a break down. He was without work for a while and finally was able to take a little job that provided enough to keep soul and body together. One day he made sales enough to clear $156.50. The youngsters were without shoes, and the family needed to spend the money on clothes. "For two weeks" the veteran tither recalls, "I held the Lord's money back playing with the idea of using it for ourselves, but finally I put it in my tithe box, and I have never been tempted since."
I know that some of his tithes too unusual forms. When he and Grandmother moved to a new house, the result was giving a house to the church to use for retired ministers. When the church in Acme closed, he bought the building and moved it to Quanah as a Senior Citizens Center.
You and Granddaddy have a lot in common, and I appreciate the article.
Well stated. Keep reading and keep responding!
Well said. You continue to boldly go where few others go.
Interesting and well explained. Thanks.
Love the phrase, "they were the ones who needed remedial scripture lessons." Very well said all the way through and food for thought, certainly.
The blog you wrote poses several possible replies, but my main belief is that the Holy Bible translates into He Only Left You Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Some of the information is historical others are open to interpretation. Stories (parables) are meant to teach a lesson. The story of the prodigal son, for example teaches a dogma of reconciliation. If we do not reconcile with others, especially our own family, how can we reconcile with God? Forgiveness, love, repentance are all acts of the believer, and are NOT open to interpretation.
Forgiveness, love, and repentance are important acts of the believer, but denominations still interpret them differently. Which of the interpretations is correct? What makes one less correct? Without consideration and open debate, how do we know our view is even close to the best? What dogmatic belief does God want to remove?
The prodigal son story is not just reconciliation with family. Its main point is about God’s desire to reconcile with even the worst sinners because they are his beloved child. The ending highlights religious prejudices that promote condemnation instead of love and forgiveness, which is not condoned by God.
God’s basic instructions are all that he requires. Love God. Love self. Love neighbors. Love enemies. Most of the other instructions concerns what happens when people do not love. Believers add onto those negative instructions and forget the love. Those rules and traditions divide the church.
Really appreciate you sharing this article. Thanks Again. Much obliged. Maurizia Amery Cowles