SIGNS OF THE TIMES

. . .for the coming new year; if we make it that long. . .



Jesus said, “When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away. Matt. 16:2-4

SO THAT WAS CHRISTMAS

There’s a song in which we find the lyrics... “So this is Christmas, and what have we done?” 
Many opinions on Christmas, most, probably, of no ultimate consequence. However, in the present, there is strife.

THE WILD BEASTS IN THE WILDERNESS

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Mark 1:13

Two things I bear in mind about reading and STUDYING scripture is…

       1. (inspired) MEN are writing

       2. GOD is revealing

Men’s personal life experiences and individual personalities are necessarily incorporated in their recordings of the revelations of God. Otherwise they would have been robots and all four Gospels would read alike. So the applications are both practical and Spiritual. Accordingly, we should always have our spiritual “eyes” open.

Christmas Series - 8 Parts

Santa Claus

Christmas - Part 1

Christmas - Part 2

Christmas - Part 3

Christmas - Part 4

Christmas - Part 5

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas

So That Was Christmas

SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

The following is text (boldface mine) from a website, gotquestions.org where readers submit questions (usually of a Christian nature) to “someone” who theoretically has done the homework for you, and proceeds to answer the question. I don’t know when the question was asked or by whom, as there is no reference given…

                                   _________________________________________

Question: "Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?"

Answer: The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Part 5

Most people who call themselves Christians "do not agree"  with my previous essay on Christmas. That's the polite way of saying you prefer to believe the world's version… the lies. I did not present my "opinions," but the information of the ages.

Why do we resist the truth? Difficult to accept isn't it? The "anti" Christmas message is that which would tear families apart. Isn't that amazing, (shameful, really). The fact that Christmas should have more of a divisive factor in families than Christ does, is a condemnation on us all. Jesus said He would be the divisive factor… not a "holiday".

Do we make are own rules up? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Part 4

So, what is wrong

with Christmas?

Christmas belongs to the world. Christ belongs to Heaven.

PICK ONE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Part 3

Christmas is a problem for the Christian. Why, we ask? Because Christmas is a lie and Christians believe it. And what is more egregious, some Christians (if not MOST) do not want to know the truth. A blogger writes… "Christmas is to be a celebration of Jesus Christ". PLEASE, prove it to all of us WITH Scripture. Or is it too much responsibility to prove "your version" of the truth? Or is it just too impossible?? One cannot "christianize" hedonism and debauchery.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Part 2

The Origin Of Christmas

The date of December 25th comes from ancient Rome and was a celebration of a pagan god, Saturn. This was done long before the birth of Jesus. There was a cause for much wild excitement and celebration. Gift giving and merriment filled the temples of ancient Rome, as sacred priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession, in celebration of a sun god who rose from the dead. This, they figured to be the reason for increasing daylight.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Part 1

Christmas is a holiday that has an effect on the entire world. It is shared and celebrated by many nations and cultures.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING... AGAIN

Santa Claus... Ho-Ho-Ho… or… Oh-Oh-Oh!
Most people never dig into the history of "tradition" - or why they believe what they believe and do what they do, especially with regard to "holidays". We live in a world filled with rituals and customs, but few people ever wonder about, or seek to understand their origins. We generally accept them without question, passed down from generation to generation. Most people basically do what everyone else does because it is easier and more natural to… "go with the flow!" (one of the reasons for the "sheep" metaphor). Take for example… the Santa Claus experience… "Saint" Nicholas.

Although I would hope to change everyone's mind about the perversion that is Santa Claus, I do not want to present here all the information that is available, nor even half of what is available. Should anyone REALLY care enough to do the right thing, you will need to search out the truth for yourself. But I do want to whet your appetites to know more.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SIMPLE MIND

Ockham's Razor notwithstanding, the simple mind can fathom the complexities and depths of the Infinite and the Eternal. Some of us have been "conditioned" to think, "it is beyond my range of comprehension"… I am not smart enough. Understanding does not come from being intelligent. It comes from knowledge. Knowledge comes from learning. Learning comes from seeking. Is there anyone who cannot learn? With very few exceptions, the answer is No! Is there anyone who will not learn? Oh, Yes (sad). So then, learning becomes a journey of seeking… an adventure of discovery, to uncover.

The Fellowship of the Simple Mind - 2

For you see your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, he that glories, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1:26-31

Suffice it to say, I fit that description. Oh yes, God chose foolish me. I was 30 when the Lord revealed Himself to me in the Gospel according to John. He saved me according to His Word when I cried out to Him in shame and guilt. Did I then cease to be foolish? Not in the flesh. But I began to understand.

CHALLENGING THE SIMPLE MIND