Seven Times

So what would you like to hear about?

Perhaps I'll start with my back going "out". Saturday morning I was at my parents and my lower back just started hurting - instantly - bad. So bad that I couldn't walk. I could only crawl about the floor - or have Rebekah drag me here and there on her back. I slept on it and Sunday it was a little better - enough for me to stumble into the Kingdom Hall - and amble about. Monday it was an even better and now Tuesday it is the same. I can walk - with a wee bit of discomfort. Strange. As I was crawling about the floor like an animal I imagined that I was stricken in order to teach me some humility - Nebuchadnezzar style.

It was a good week for music. 50FOOTWAVE released an Internet 5-song release called "Free Music" for er, free. I liked it better than their past two releases. Mainly because they seem to have tapered back on the heaviness - just a bit to let melody and vocals come through. It's not Throwing Muses but not bad.

Also I finally got a hold of Akai: Point-Five EP. Loved it and love it. Thanks Hiromi and friends! You make me want to start recording again ... if only.

Not too recently I picked up Hayley Westenra's album Odyssey. It reminds me of the kind of music they play on "Movie Tunes" when you are at the theatre waiting for the film to start. I guess it fills the niche classical vocal section of my CD shelf. A little opera never hurt anybody I s'pose.

As far as study I'm really into the Septuagint at the moment. It seems there is a real interest lately in translating it into English. There are now three fresh English translations that I know of that are in the works. The last English translation before this was done sometime in the 1800's! Up until recently it seemed like the Septuagint was really only used by academics and the Greek Orthodox Church. I'm not going argue the merits of the Septuagint over the Masoretic text; however, we shouldn't discount the value if Septuagint. After all, it was the version of the Bible used by the Apostles and early Christian Congregations.

I discovered the New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) the other day. I was happy to find that they had side-by-side translations of both the original Old Greek version and the Theodotionic revision of the book of Daniel. For some reason, typically presumed to be because of the poor quality of translation, the Old Greek version was phased out of use in the Christian Churches during the 4th century and replaced by the Theodotion Greek version, a newer translation. As such this was my first time getting to look at the Old Greek rendition.

Just briefly looking over it there appears to be some interesting differences. The Old Greek version has Nebuchadnezzar's Statue dream in his 12th year instead of his 2nd. If there were true it would remedy some difficulties within the chronology of the book of Daniel. The 1st chapter of the book of Daniel has him captured by Nebuchadnezzar and undergoing a 3 year training program and then afterward being brought before the king. (Daniel 1:5,18). But chapter 2 appears to have Daniel providing an interpretation to the King's dream in his 2nd year.

As it stands this apparent discrepancy can be easily explained away using things like ascension/regnal years and father/son co-rulerships. However it would not be surprisingly if the Septuagint contained a more accurate representation of the actual chronlogy because in other accounts it tends to correct discrepencies that appear in the Masoretic text.

One example is in 1 Kings 16 wherein there is a discrepency between the years that Omri and Ahab ruled over Israel in relation to Asa's reign over Judah. In the Masoretic text Omri is said to have ruled 12 years starting during Asa's 31st year. (1 Kings 16:23). Omri's son Ahab is said to succeed him in rulership during Asa's 38 year. (1 Kings 16:28,29) So in one verse Omri's reign is said to be 12 years however the corresponding rule of Asa provided leaves only 7 years. In the Septuagint version there are additional verses that the Masoretic text omit that clear up the matter showing how in the eleventh year of Omri rule of Israel that Josaphat succeeded Asa as ruler of Judah. Then in the 2nd year of Josaphat of Ahab succeeded Omri. Hence the Greek Septuagint records the correct chronology whereas the Hebrew Masoretic is in shown to be in error.

Another interesting variance between the Septuagint and the Masoretic is in Daniel's "70 Weeks" Prophecy. In the Masoretic at Daniel 9:25 it says that Jerusalem will be rebuilt "with a public square and a moat". The Septuagint speaks of the rebuilding with a "square and the wall". It would certainly seem more reasonable for the prophecy to concern the walls of Jerusalem since they were a prominent feature that get mentioned time and time again in the scriptures. (Apart from the book of Daniel I can't see any other mention of a moat in Jerusalem.) Additionally this would lend weight to the suggestion that the 70 prophetic weeks started with Artaxerxes' royal decree that walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. (Nehemiah chap 1-7)

I've got an English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls on order. It will be interesting to see how the DSS Daniel matches up to the Septuagint and the Masoretic in these areas. Historically, and quite surprising to scholars, the dead sea scrolls more closely matched the Greek Septuagint than the Hebrew Masoretic texts.

Good Gifts

A couple of months ago I purchased Heaven: A History by Colleen McDannell. It traces human conceptions of the after life from the early Jewish views to that of the early Christians and then progresses through the years down to the modern era. I purchased it as a reference because I've been really interested in how the early (1st, 2nd century) Christians viewed the resurrection. Of particular note is the oral tradition of the apostles and those who walked with Christ that Papias references - that there are different abodes (mansions) for those resurrected to life, some to heaven, and some to earth.

If you ask someone their feelings about the resurrection you are quite likely to get multiple viewpoints. For members of Christendom that believe that all go to heaven you may get different ideas about what they will be doing there. Some envision themselves sitting on clouds, playing harps. Others picture themselves golfing or fishing - doing the things they love to do now on Earth.

For those who believe in a resurrection to life on Earth there also various ideas. Some may picture life as it existed in the 1800's - driving around in carriages and making your own butter. Some picture a world of high technology with individuals zipping around in non-polluting hover cars. And there are others numerous, varying ideas: clothed or naked? meat or veg? changing seasons or temperate?

I was reading this scripture the other day and the beauty of the thoughts struck me:

"But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Certainly we can imagine the splendors of heaven or envision the joys of the new Earth - however the actual beauty of such is incomprehensible to mankind. Take your best picture of the afterlife multiply it by a thousand and you are still nowhere close to the reality of it. It will be THAT good. What a loving Father we have!

Today, due to sin and imperfection of the world and ourselves we certainly go through a lot pain and suffering. Our Father recognizes this. He is ready to make recompense and he gives back like no one else give back. This is seen in the account of Job. Job, a faithful man, suffered to the extreme and lost everything because of circumstances beyond his control. His loss was his 7 sons and 3 daughters, along with 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 spans of cattle, and 500 she-asses.

After Job's trial was over Jehovah compensated Job double for what he lost. We read at Job 42:12 "As for Jehovah, he blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning, so that he came to have fourteen thousand sheep and six thousand camels and a thousand spans of cattle and a thousand she-asses."

We often state that Jehovah will give us back everything that our first parent Adam lost. I believe that. However as seen in the account of Job it would not be unreasonable to believe that God will give us back even more than what was enjoyed by Adam and Eve in that splendid Garden of Eden - all the joys of paradise and then some!

It is interesting that while Jehovah provided double the livestock He only gave back the original the original number of sons and daughters. Job 42:13 continues, "He also came to have seven sons and three daughters." We ask: Why only 10 more children instead of 20? Well this scripture implies that he would receive his other sons and daughters back in the resurrection. On the last day when he is resurrected he will be joined by all 20 of his children!

So through the scriptures we can be assured that even when death takes our family and loved ones that we have the hope of seeing them again.

Job was a righteous man and as such became a target from the Adversary and Slanderer. He did not deserve what befell him. However Jehovah's loving kindness is shown in how even when bad people are reaping what they sow that he is willing to compensate them if they turn around and repent of their sins. This is a common theme of the Hebrew prophets.

At Joel 1:4 a great famine is prophesied against God's wayward people, "What was left by the caterpillar, the locust has eaten; and what was left by the locust, the creeping, unwinged locust has eaten; and what the creeping, unwinged locust has left, the cockroach has eaten." In addition to the famine in Joel 2:1-11 a great, powerful military force is foretold to come up against his name people.

Jehovah implores the people, “come back to me with all YOUR hearts, and with fasting and with weeping and with wailing. And rip apart YOUR hearts, and not YOUR garments; and come back to Jehovah YOUR God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, and he will certainly feel regret on account of the calamity" - Joel 2:12,13

If the people do this what is the result? Jehovah says " And I will make compensation to YOU for the years that the locust, the creeping, unwinged locust, and the cockroach and the caterpillar have eaten, my great military force that I have sent among YOU. And YOU will certainly eat, eating and becoming satisfied, and YOU will be bound to praise the name of Jehovah YOUR God, who has done with YOU so wonderfully; and my people will not be ashamed to time indefinite." - Joel 2:25,26.

Our Heavenly Father is merciful! Even when we do not deserve it if we turn around and make an effort to make our way straight He will pour out his blessing upon us. Why? He does this because He is a loving Father and willing to give good gifts to His Children. He is that loving Father keeping watch for the return of his wayward son.

I love how Jesus expresses it:

“Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened. Indeed, who is the man among YOU whom his son asks for bread—he will not hand him a stone, will he? Or, perhaps, he will ask for a fish—he will not hand him a serpent, will he? Therefore, if YOU, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to YOUR children, how much more so will YOUR Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him?" - Matthew 7:7-11

While we await future blessings we even get good things today. In particular how wonderful it is to have God's complete written Word available to us! We also have the Holy Spirit, the "helper" that Jesus promised to request that his Father send to his disciples. When we make use of these wonderful gifts we can draw close to our Father. The spirit is powerful and can open our hearts to the scriptures. In fact scriptures that we have read one hundred times or more suddenly pop off the page and illuminate our minds and make our hearts leap for joy!

We cannot comprehend the depths of our Father's love for us nor can we fully appreciate all the wonderful things he has in store for us nor can we completely recognize what good things he provides for us each and every day! But we need to keep seeking to get to know Him better to get an even better glimpse into Him.

And while there is a lot of misery that we have to go through we need to keep the future promises in our hearts. Speaking of the heavenly resurrection, Hebrews 6:19 expresses it nicely "This [hope] we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm” We need to continue to hang onto Jehovah and our Lord Jesus because in due to time we will fully get to know all of what awaits us on heaven or earth - even being able to "reside" with God forever!

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:1-4


Praise Jah!

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Note: My blog has been down for awhile. I've been super busy with life and work. Then when I finally got time to post again I guess I forgot my password. But things are better now. So sorry for the absence.

-anthony

Marconi Plays The Mamba

Random -

Unfulfilled Goal #1: Purchase a 1977 "Smokey and the Bandit" Pontiac Trans Am Firebird
Unfulfilled Goal #2: Grow a 1977 "Smokey and the Bandit" Burt Reynolds Mustache

So I love November because of nothing else I can buy 1/2 priced Turkey. Which I did last night and which I will cook this weekend. Which I will enjoy considerably because it is good to eat. We invited some people over ... a first for us. If they come over it should be interesting because we have no table and chairs which is generally a prerequisite to having a dinner party. I hope my turkey is big enough. I've got enough yams to feed a village.

I've fallen in love with Stash Fusion Green and White Tea. So, so good and supposedly beneficial to health.

I've fallen under the spell of the band Starship. Working on our office year-end-review video I downloaded rediscovered gems - "Sara" and "We Built This City". If only music could be that good again!

I love my friends!

Catchy Songs That Stick In Your Head

About a month ago as a family we went through the house and cleared away everything related to spiritism ... no matter how small or remote. So yes we are now one of those crazy, extreme, obsessive families that doesn't watch "The Wizard of Oz". (Feel free to poke fun behind our backs - I give you permission.) It was interesting when you got really nit-picky just how much stuff you have that has touches of magic. Especially if you are an individual with a lot of Star Wars paraphernalia! Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

So I told you that story to tell you this story. Mina was a real trooper and didn't baulk and discarding her beloved Lion King DVD as well as other some other DVD's and since then Rebekah and I have been trying to buy her new movies to replace those that she disposed of. On Tuesday we bought Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", which while certainly fanciful wasn't necessarily magical so it met our approval. The movie was a lot of fun. We particularly enjoyed the music.

So I told you that story to tell you this story. I've now got the "Augustus Gloop" song lodged firmly in my head and it absolutely refuses to leave! On the DVD there is a feature where you can learn to do the Oompa Loompa dance that is choreographed to the music! Bonus!

I have a talk tonight, "How To Strengthen A Marriage". Last night I did some research for it. I'm thinking that I'm going to go a different route then the typical way these types of talks are developed. I'll transpose my notes into a blog entry later ...

But I did want to share this little bit of a thought:

God revealed himself to Moses as Jehovah. (Exodus 6:3)
Jesus revealed Jehovah as our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 6:9)
The holy spirit revealed our Heavenly Father as abba - Dad or Papa (Romans 8:15)

I was considering the progress of our relationship between ourselves and our God.

In the beginning we may know of Him as some extract concept, God.
In time we learn that he has a unique name, Jehovah and He becomes more personal.
We make progress in learning about Jehovah God but there is still room to be made.
From there we can begin to consider Jehovah as our Heavenly Father.
At this point just as it becomes unnatural for us to address our earthly father by his name we can't help but to address Jehovah God as "Father" - the way Jesus encouraged us to.
And yet there is room for even more growth.
Through a spirit of adoption we are brought into such a relationship that we relate to our Father by the tenderest of familial expressions - dad, daddy, papa.

How lovely to have that kind of relationship!

True Worship

"The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world" - James 1:27

In our congregations James 1:27 is often quoted in order to establish what to look for in true religion today. Sadly the focus is often on the keeping of oneself "without spot from the world" with little attention given "to look[ing] after orphans and widows in their tribulation". In his letter James highlights the importance of charitable acts such as when he says that faith cannot exist without good works like providing for "a brother or sister in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day". - James 2:15

In Bible times, as is often the case today, widows and orphans are among the neediest of people. These are ones that may suffer from neglect. Our loving Heavenly Father though cares for them deeply. He is called, "a father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows" (Psalm 68:5) His care for them is expressed at Psalm 146:9 where it says "The fatherless boy and the widow he relieves."

Jehovah's care for widows and orphans was reflected in the Law of Moses where the people were ordered to care for widows and orphans. It is emphatically proclaimed at Dueteronomy 27:19 "Cursed is the one who perverts the judgment of an alien resident, a fatherless boy and a widow!"

How serious did Jehovah take this law? Very seriously! The maltreatment of widows and orphans was one of the reasons that Jehovah punished His name people, allowing them to be killed and taken captive by enemy nations such as Babylon. In regards to this Isaiah made the prophetic denoucement, "Woe to those who are enacting harmful regulations and those who, constantly writing, have written out sheer trouble, in order to push away the lowly ones from a legal case and to wrest away justice from the afflicted ones of my people, for the widows to become their spoil, and that they may plunder even the fatherless boys!" - Isaiah 10:1,2

The care of the such needy individuals was a concern for the early Christian congregation. In Acts 6:1-6 we read about how men "full of spirit and wisdom" were appointed to distribute food to improverished widows. The Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy regarding a "list" that honorable widows in need of relief could be placed on in the event that they had no family to provide for them. (1 Timothy 5:3-9)

In our congregations today seldom are appointments made of individuals to spearhead the taking care of the needy among us and there are few lists made to keep such ones in mind. Be that as it may that does not excuse us from our scriptural responsibilities to take care of such ones. As a Christian congregation we have a community responsibilty to take care for them as they are related to us in the faith (Galations 6:10)

And I can honestly assess that from my own experience there is a real and immediate need. Those of us who are young need to step up and provide for them. In my congregation the widows seem to get by financially and they have food on their tables but they are literally starving for attention. Our elderly ones who were the building blocks of our congregation are shown little regard. Those who find themselves in nursing homes are all but forgotten about.

Rebekah and I had the privelege of going out to eat Sunday after the meeting with an elderly sister. Can you imagine this faithful sister questioning whether or not the friends would take care of her when the great tribulation started? That she should even have to question such a thing is a positively sad statement of the reality she faces. That she still comes to the Sunday meeting each and every week despite such discouragement is a testament to her faith.

There is such a great joy and satisfaction in taking care of the needs of others. As John expresses, "for this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commadnments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3) I'm finding out how true that is. At one time it did seemed like taking care of the widows was a burden but this is truely not the case. I'm so happy that some of Rebekah and my closest friends in congregations are such ones. And in taking care of them there is a complete and total mutual encouragement for us as well. Sometimes it seems that we get more out of it then they do.

Let us all look for ways to help out those in need among us, especially our dear elderly sisters! Let us not look down upon them in their days of tribulation. Rather let us include them in our gatherings, speak to them often, keep them in our prayers, and care for their physical needs.

Why do I write these things? I'll conclude with the heart stirring words of our Lord Jesus:

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in YOU and YOUR joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that YOU love one another just as I have loved YOU." - John 15:11,12

Anthony Needs ...

Ok this is a fun little diversion that is making the blogging rounds. You do a google search on the the phrase "[Your Name] Needs" and see what comes up.

Anthony needs coaching in the game of life.
Anthony needs your feedback!
Anthony needs touches, and to forget the past.
Anthony needs every second to achieve some measure of atonement.
Anthony needs all the help he can get.
Anthony needs a new team.

Wow! Ever so revealing ... this has to be the fortune cookie of the 21st century!

Are Disasters Increasing?

One of the signs culminating in Jesus' presence is "earthquakes in one place after another". (Matthew 24:7) As we have previously discussed the Greek word "seismos" which is generally rendered "earthquakes" at Matthew 24:7 basically means a commotion. At Matthew 8:24 it is used to for a great sea storm. It is used in 2 Kings 2:1 (4 Kings 2:1, LXX) for the great windstorm that carried Elijah to the heavens. Therefore we can understand that Jesus may have been giving as a sign not just earthquakes, but the whole gamut of turbulant disasters including such things as tornadoes, typhoons, and hurricanes.

Jesus called these things "birth pains". (Matthew 24:8, NIV) Labor pains build toward child birth, getting stronger in intesity and closer together. Therefore we can expect that the signs Jesus spoke of to build in severity and increase until the birth the kingdom. At this time the complete number of 144,000 holy ones join together with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom to begin ruling. (Revelation 19:7,8,11-16) This Kingdom will bring about judgment for wicked mankind and long awaited rewards for the righteous.

With this in mind we pay attention close attention to world events, particularly the indicators Jesus spoke of - war, famine, pestilance, and tumultuous disasters. It is interesting that in response to unique happenings in the world today that even people who do not read their Bibles are starting to take notice of what is going on believing that what we are experiencing seems out of the ordinary.

Considering just the natural disasters that are plaguing humanity a recent Newsweek article, The Last Word: Preparing for The Worst, indicates that there is an increase is disasters. Janos Bogardi, director of the U.N. University's Insitute for the Environment and Human Security said in an interview, "There are absolutely clear signs and compelling statistics showing the situation is getting worse. We now are experiencing 2.5 to 3 times as many extreme events of climatic or water-related emergencies per year as we did in the 1970s. At the same time annual economic losses [from disasters] have increased sixfold." When asked why we are seeing this Mr. Bogardi commented, "Climate change certainly plays an important role. That leads to extremes at both ends of the spectrum. We have more floods, more droughts, longer heat spells without rain and more storms."

This compliments the scenario painted in the October 2003 Pentagon study entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. Therein the report suggests a huge environmental fallout caused by global warming within the next 10 to 20 years. It graphically speaks of various doomsday scenarios including whole countries rendered inhabitable, nuclear wars fought over food and water supplies, and a sharp increase in disasters, famine and disease. So while this report is speculative it is worth noting the national governments are becoming increasingly open to idea that severe climate change may become a reality very shortly.

As Christians we remain aware of the realities of the Lord's prophetic words. We pay attention to the apostle Paul's advice found at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." And certainly while it would be unwise to be dogmatic about the exact meaning of our times we would be foolish to ignore our surroundings, being like those in Noah's day who were "eating and drinking" - those who "took no note until the flood came and swept them all away" (Matthew 24:39)

Ways To Promote Love

I'm just trying to brainstorm some ways to promote love within the congregation.

1. Give someone a hug.
2. Give someone a card for no reason.
3. Visit a widow.
4. Commend someone.
5. Talk about how Jehovah has blessed you.
6. Visit someone in the hospital.
7. Give money to someone who is out of work.
8. Take an "orphan" to the movies/park/ballgame.
9. Invite a family over for a meal.
10. Speak only good things about a person.
11. Don't participate in harmful gossip.
12. Talk to someone you've never spoken to.
13. Provide upbuilding comments.

Any more?

Hurricanes - Part of the Sign?

We often speak of the sign of Jesus' presence as recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 asbeing wars, food shortages, pestilance, and earthquakes. However a careful look at the Greek word seismos commonly rendered "earthquakes" in these scriptures reveals that this can include other natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Strong's Concordance and Lexicon provides the following definition for Seismos: "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest"

So while this word can mean earthquake it can also mean wind storm. It is used this way in Matthew 8:24 to describe the great tempest at sea that Jesus calmed. (The parallel account at Mark 4:37 describes it as a "great violent windstorm")

Knowing this can help us effectively keep watch as things happen around us.

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As a side point, recently a link has been discovered between hurricane activity and earthquakes. Physicist Randall Peters of Mercer University in Macon Georgia has shown that wind storms can trigger seismic activity and weak earthquake swarms. Earth Trembles As Big Winds Move In - New Scientist; July 1, 2005.

my mundane weekend

The work computers had been running fine since the last meltdown. I got optimistic and thought that the server had been fixed however I have been shying away from even touching the thing lest it bomb out again. I don't know what I was thinking on Friday but I decided that I should change the administrator username and password - afterall it had been the same for the past two years. B-I-G M-I-S-T-A-K-E.

This weekend we had plans to visit Rebekah's relatives in Ohio. Every October they have a small reunion. Usually they have it close to home; however, this year circumstances neccesitated that we go to Ohio.

I pretty much figured that I would have to stay home this weekend and work. Once again I had to leave the computer overnight while it rebooted. An eight hour process. Saturday morning I went in at 5:00am to check on things - things were working so I got to go to Ohio afterwall.

Ohio was uneventful. There was food. There was Karaoke. And yes I did do a not-so-bad rendition of Neil Diamond and not-so-good version of Britney Spears. The motel we stayed at was probably the classiest two star place I have ever stayed at. It was the only non pay-by-the-hour motel in down so we really had little choice. But the joint looked like those rundown motels in the slasher movies were people get killed.

On Friday I received my 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. I brought volume 1, the 2nd Century writings with me. It is really interesting how similar these writings by the so-called "Church Fathers" matches our (JW) commonly held beliefs. For starters there is a very clear seperation of the Father and the Son. (It took many battles and political wrangling for the trinity doctrine to become dogma - long after the Nicene counsel.) More surprising IIrenaeus expresses that thought of a "gradation and arrangement of those who are saved" wherein some are raised to Heaven and some are ressurected to live on a restored and perfected Earth. Sound familiar? (Papias, who is said to been friends with the apostles particularly John, expresses this view as well.) So while these writings cannot stand on their own they are very useful, particularly the very early writings, in corroboration with the Bible.

Saturday we drove home stopping to visit a friend in Bloomington, Indiana. He took us out for some great Thai food and we got to walk around the square a little bit. I like those little college towns!

drought

Worst drought it decades drying key rivers

it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep

Habakkuk 2:3 "For [the] vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."

My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.

I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"

Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)

But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.

Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.

"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)

Christian Love,

earthquakes

"and there will be ... earthquakes in one place after another." (Matthew 24:7)

Quake toll exceeds 30,000

My prayers to all those who have suffered loss.

Friends we are getting so very close. Stay awake. Keep on the watch.

all the more so

The US media has finally picked up on the story of the avian flu, no doubt in part to the fact that in a speech earlier this week the President held it out as a possiblity that the country should prepare for. (Of course the preperation he spoke of was in the context of giving the military increased ability to operate internally for the purpose of crisis management, quarantine, and innoculation.)

It is believed by health officials that this flu has the potential to be even more deadly than the spanish flu of 1918. As Christians you then have to ask yourselves, If the spanish flu was telling us that Jesus' presence had begun in 1914 what will the avian flu be telling us? More importantly we need to ask ourselves what we should be doing in view of the urgency of the times.

As Christians we need to keep in mind that the judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) Knowing that, we need to constantly keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we will fair well in that judgment. A good starting point for self examination is a personal study of the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor provided in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus' words in these letters finds direct application to the Christian Congregation. Through these letters Jesus tells us what we are doing good and what we need to work on.

I just began reading these letters again starting with the letter to the congegation of Ephesus. (Rev 2:1-7) That congregation's biggest strength was that it was zealous for the truth; they didn't tolerate liars and false apostles, apostates. However Jesus cautioned them that they had left the love they had at first. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul specifically commended them for the love they showed to the holy ones (Ephesians 1:15 ASV per NA26 text). However over time this love that promoted good works had evidentally eroded. In the Revelation Jesus encouraged them to return to these former deeds.

Because the judgment is soon to be upon us we need to use the time we have to shore up our congregations by promoting love and faith. We owe this to our brothers and sisters - certainly this is the primary reason for our fellowship. The day of Jehovah is drawing ever near therefore we need to encourage each other ALL THE MORE SO. (Hebrews 10:25) If we have faith then our faith should translate in our rendering good works - love and support to our brothers and sisters. We need to care for them in their time of need or our faith is dead. (James 2:14-17)

For those of us in the US we need to understand what the annual report is telling us. We need to comprehend what 0% growth means. It means for every individual that we reach out the ministry, persuade to accept the truth, patiently study with to bring to accurate knowledge, help toward repentance, and finally baptize into the Christian congregation - for every individual that we bring into the congregation through the front door - one of our brothers and sisters is leaving out the back.

Please look around at your congregation and decide who you would care to lose to the world. Hopefully you would wish none that fate. So let us all try our hardest to encourage all toward endurance and rescue those who have left. Is the ministry within the house somehow less important than the ministry in the field?

Your brother in Christ.

random-x

On Saturday Trey, Mike, and Seth came over. Their band Random-X is playing at a gathering today and wanted to record a quick CD to pass out. So we hammered out three songs. If we had more time we could've polished them up a bit however I like what they came up with. I'm pretty impressed by them considering they are all under 16 years of age. So please check out their myspace page and listen to the songs they have up. Trey wrote and sings on "So Long" and Mike wrote and sings on "Rewind" - both are gems. Good stuff.

--

I tried to buy the Concretes CD at Target. I guess I assumed they would have it since the Concretes are all over their TV commercials - but I wrong. I just downloaded it from iTunes. I like it and it reminds me of Mazzy Star a bit. However it makes me miss my organ.

P.S.

We took my organ sale money and bought me a new suit. Somehow it doesn't seem like a very good trade off.

caffeine

Well ... here's to turning over a new leaf in life.
After years upon years of soda drinking with no adverse health effects (that I know of) caffeine now makes me dizzy and sick. So I guess I'm going to have to make some changes and go back to water or something.
No tea.
No coffee.
No soda.
I can barely comprehend that.
(I posted the lyrics to "Caffeine" by Kristin Hersh as they seem fitting. today.)

I'm wearing long sleeves and the air has a chill to it. They are saying it is going to be a bad winter which is pretty convenient if you are an energy executive seeing as how natural gas is 100% up. For the rest of us this bad news. Mina came up with a nice idea - we will just buy some blankets.

Look out for October.

Hug your loved ones.


--

The best of us puking
The rest of us not doing so well
You can tell by the way we look over your shoulder
Watching for the next big thing
Caffeine in the blood, caffeine on the brain, bad well water
Set off a chain reaction, a desparate set of principles
I wish we were lonely
I wish we were boring
It's so much easier
You're driving and I am your backseat shadow
The radio keeps playing
The radio keeps saying Nothing lost and nothing gained
But if you don't like it then leave
What if you won't take it from me?
I can soothe you
I feel your heart beating
I hear your soft breathing

-caffeine Kristin Hersh

Gethsemene

Last night I was reading over the different accounts of the last hours of Jesus' life on Earth. I was particularly moved by the account of what transpired in the garden of Gethsemane. The mental image of Jesus I carried in past is him at his strongest - the power that he displayed while driving the money changers out of the temple - the calm dignity he displayed while suffering abuse in the courts. However this account of Gethsemane is Jesus at his most vunerable. It is not pleasant but at his most human it enables me to relate to him more.

There is one verse in Mark 14 that particularly caught my attention, "...and he started to be stunned and sorely troubled." (v. 33) I started to wonder why suddenly Jesus was "stunned". In the Greek this word, ekthambeo, carries the thought of being startled, thrown in terror, alarmed. What must it have been like? Have you ever gotten so scared that it is like the wind is knocked out of you? Has a thought so dreadful ever come across you that you cannot move because of the sheer horror of it?

Imagine what it was like for Jesus. He evidentally knew hew was to die since he had been preparing the apostles for his death for some time. Maybe there in the garden as the zero hour approached the gravity of the situation suddenly came upon him. Honestly to be killed is one thing - to be reviled, beaten, flogged, and impaled is quite another.

Jesus tells his three companions, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me." (Matthew 26:37) I wonder if apostles understood what he was going through? Have you ever had a friend try to reach out and communicate to you the pain they are experiencing and you don't comprehend it? Here Jesus is telling them quite simply, "Stay with me. Don't leave me. Stay awake."

Jesus then goes ahead of then a little ways, maybe just out of earshot, and then "he fell upon his face". He literally collapses in despair and begins praying to his Father. He said “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Mark's account of this prayer is even more tender for he address his Father as "Abba", daddy or papa.

I think about his prayer and what he was asking and why he was asking it. I don't think it is wrong to at least consider the thought Jesus was greatly troubled by what he was to suffer. Wouldn't you be? And not just troubled by his own personal pain but also in despair over the stakes that were riding on the next day. All of humanity hung in the balance. His Father's righteousness was in question. This was alot to have on your shoulders.

In Luke's account Jehovah sends an angel to comfort Jesus. Even while his closest friends fell asleep nearby his heavenly Father didn't leave him. Yet in the arms of this divine comfort, Luke writes "But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:43,44) So severe was his anquish that a medical condition called hemohidrosis or hematidrosis befell him. As a result of hemmoraging in the sweat glands his sweat became mixed with blood. This can cause the body to go into shock. (And I wonder about this. Jesus was a perfect man and yet his body was physically breaking down under the pressure. When he says, "I am troubled even to death" there is an indication that the mental trauma was so great that he felt it would kill him right then and there.)

The hour then came, just as his betrayer approached to lead the arrest Jesus picked himself up and prepared to face his destiny. When the troops asked for Jesus he didn't run, he didn't hide, he boldy said, "I am he." That boldness and composure would be the mark that he carried throughout his numerous trials and tortures.

The Great Sea Monsters

Genesis 1:21 "And God proceeded to create the great sea monsters ... And God got to see that [it was] good."

I have always been fascinated by the so-called great sea monsters. When I was little I used to get these cards that had pictures of animals on one side and a little factoid about them on the reverse. My favorite was the narwhal! At the time it was so elusive that instead of a photograph there was only a painting.

Today I was happy to read the news article Giant Squid Photographed for First Time. A team of Japanese scientists are the first to capture a picture of a live giant squid - a creature so elusive that we only knew of its existence when bodies or pieces of bodies washed up on shore. It is rumoured that once upon a time these animals would attack sailing ships. Presumably today they are scared away by the sounds of motors and we no longer have these threats.

The 41st chapter of Job describes a mighty sea creature called Leviathan which is described by God as "king over all majestic beasts". Some Bible commentators have suggested that Leviathan is a crocodile. To which we can only ask when has a crocodile ever breathed fire? (vs 18-21) I'm still waiting to catch of glimpse of this great sea monster - albeit at a safe distance in a fire proof suit!

blackout

9:30pm Tuesday Night

We are returning home after grocery shopping. I'm hungry and can't wait to get a pizza in the oven. I go to the bedroom to change out of my dress clothes.

The lights go out.

My dad was over monday to fix the my circuit box so I assume there is a problem.
There is a problem but it is not ours alone. The whole street is out.
Correction the whole block is out.
Correction the whole neighbourhood is out.

Interesting how dependent you are on power and when it suddenly vanishes you are left running around and bumping heads like some pitch-black Three Stooges episode.

Two weeks ago, after Katrina, we bought matches, and lighters, and a big flashlight. The flashlight came in handy. (Next on the disaster-prep shopping list will be a crank radio.)

We took a drive around the dark town. It seemed like it was our chunk of neighborhood that was out. (1,500 people or so)

We came back home and there was nothing to do but sleep.

At 11:00 pm the lights flickered to life and my bedroom fan began blowing on me. We breathed a collective sigh of relief and collectively realized how enslaved we are to the power grid.

Further study:

The "Little House" book series.

Items to buy:

Crank shortwave radio.

Broken

Friday morning I got the call:

"Anthony you'd better come in early. The computer systems are down".

Overnight the we had a lightning storm and the system had failed. I spent all-day trying to get it going again and I came up short. So I threw myself out at Saturday and finally got it to go ... barely ... slowly.

The machine's a mess. The tape backup drive is failing.

I hope a new machine is in the budget cause we are going to need one ...

--

Friday night I got in beat down and stressed. Rebekah, bless her heart, went out and got me some taquitos and a six-pack of Negra Modelo. That made things beter. Comfort food.

--

Saturday we took Mina out - lunch, book store, Toys-r-Us, City Museum. The City Museum is fun anytime but at night it gets so much better (and cheaper). We happened to bump into fellow Nucleargopher/Band Kids labelmate Nathan. What a surprise that was! We exchanged numbers. Hopefully we can get together now that he is around here.

There was a fight in the dodge-ball pit.

--

Sunday after the meetings we went to Quizno's and I chomped down on a piece of ice and my molar broke.

Life.

We went to D.Z.'s memorial service. It was really sad.

I was thinking about the resurrection and how wonderful it would be to be able to raise people from the dead. What a joy! There's greater happiness in giving the receiving. How I wish I could bring them back!

. . .

I wish I knew what to do
Where to go
When to move
Can you help me to see?

I'm so unkind
My eyes are blind

I'm so unworthy
I'm so worldly

Father hold me

I hope this isn't blasphemy
Come down and save me

I love you

There is no fear in love

So where does that leave us?

I love you too much

My heart might burst
...but I've had worse.

Glasses

I was drinking out of a measuring glass and it dawned on me that we need to buy some glasses. As it stands we have:

1 shot glass
1 martini glass
1 wine goblet
1 drinking glass

I doubt we will be entertaining anytime soon ...

My Friend

I started to feel better about the disaster now that our Government is getting the situation under control.

But then I got the call that one of my old friends had died. Suicide.
So that is now upsetting to me.
We grew up together as young kids and then we saw each often when we were teenagers.
Eventually he went to Bethel and I lost track of him.

I felt like calling him a month or so ago but never got around to it.
I really wish I had because when terrible things like this happen we always seem to wonder if there was something we could've done.

So my prayers and thoughts today are going to his family.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come!

Keep On The Watch

I've been incredibly sad about the New Orleans situation.
Sad is maybe an understatement.
Crushed.
Distraught.
Weak.
And those words don't seem to describe how I truly feel about the matter.

There is a lot to say about these things ... about what is going on.
But what can you say?

Please realise the value of having some provisions set-aside in your home in view of the times.

FEMA Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Above all else recognize that when the tribulation as spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:9,21) hits no amount of disaster preperation will be able to save us. Things will be so bad that the only salvation would be through Jehovah and at the hand of our savior Jesus.

So a key to preparation is reading the Bible, praying, drawing close to Jehovah right now. Examine your life and honestly see if something is standing in the way of your relationship with your heavenly Father. If you find something blocking your path don't hesitate to get rid of it. (Matthew 18:8,9)

I firmly believe that the tribulation is coming quickly. Can you look out and the world and see that is no longer slowly advancing from bad to worse but it is a near free-fall toward collapse and breakdown?

Keep on the watch. Keep your oil supply going strong.

Be ready for anything.

Trust in Jehovah no matter what!

My Money Where My Mouth Is

I could write about my bad day yesterday. I could but anything that I'm going through is extremely petty in light of what is happening just south of me.

To me this is worse than September 11th. September 11th was at least comprehensible on a simplistic level. Warefare between nations is rarely simple but at least we can understand it.

But this ...

Young children are being raped and murdered. Can you comprehend that?

Thousands of dead bodies floating being eaten by birds, fish, and alligators. Can you comprehend that?

People dropping like flies without food and water. Can you comprehend that?

People being rounded up (coralled) and sent to stadiums. Can you comprehend that?

People shooting their military. Can you comprehend that?

The military shooting their people. Can you comprehend that?

I find it very difficult to understand these things ...

People throw out their reason when the get scared. The human tendancy to hang on to life will make rational people act desperate. You can see that in New Orleans. No food. No water. No nothing. They become animal.

I think of Revelation where only those who receive the mark of the beast (align themselves with that last political world rulership) will be able to buy and sell. Think about what that would mean for you. You are starving. Your kids are starving. This world government is dangling food in front of you and saying you can eat if you join us, you can get healthcare if join us, we can protect you if you join us. And yet we have to make a choice to side with God's Kingdom and let the consequences be what the consequences will be.

It calls to mind the three Hebrews who refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's idol. (Is it coincidence that the idol carried the measurements 60 and 6? The name of the Beast is 600 60 6.) They were willing to suffer the consequences - death by fire - for their giving Jehovah their God exclusive devotion. Would Jehovah save them? It didn't matter to them because it wasn't about them. If He would He would if He didn't they would still worship him. Their concern was Jehovah and Jehovah only. And so they were grabbed and hurled into the fire. It appeared that Jehovah wouldn't rescue them. It wasn't until the 0 moment and they hit the flames when Jehovah did save them. At the very point of not turning back He sent an angel to deliver him. This is a lesson for those who will make up the great crowd that survives the Great Tribulation.

For awhile now I have felt in my bones and my heart that we are close. Each new day tells me I'm right.

The terrorist attacks of September 11th happened and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.

The tsunami hit and we woke up ... and then went back to sleep.

We can't afford to go back to sleep. Not now. Not this time.

Jesus gave us the stuff to look for in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I know some of us feel that list came true in 1914 or shortly thereafter and we don't have to keep on the watch anymore. But the stuff we are going through and will soon go through will make all those "big events" seemingly insignificant. Really how bad will World War I seem if ever we were involved in a nuclear war? Really how bad with the spanish flu seem if the dreaded avian flu begins spreading to humans? Really how bad will the great depression seem if the american economy collapses and plunges the world into global depression? And if/when the weather finally breaks due to global warming how will anything compare to the natural disasters, disease, and food shortages that such a change will bring about?

I don't know that any of that stuff will happen but as a matter of practicality I think you have to assume and prepare for the worst. Remember "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)

I think we have decided to sell everything non-essential and try to live as simply as possible for the time being. This will probably include stuff we love like record collections and music equipment It's not that the extra money will be any protection but I just don't want to be encumbered by possessions. I don't want to be the guy who is staying behind when the warning is given because he is afraid of losing his stuff. I don't want to be the guy shot and murdered for his material posessions.

Matthew 24:15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment."

This is the guy I really want to be ... I want to be the guy that is able to flee unencumbered without looking back. (Remember Lot's wife? These things are a lesson for us to learn from.) When it comes time to move or preach or whatever work there is to do in the final days I want to do it without reservation.

Katrina

Last night I watched a news channel hoping to get a glimpse of what was going on down-south with the storm.

They showed a newscaster who was in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He was giving his spiel about the damage and the camera man was panning around showing some of the devestation. They then focus on this bar and the news man proclaims that it is one of the only places still open They zoom in on people standing around in the dark drinking pints of beer. One man smiles and toasts the camera. Another man exits the bar with a girl on his arm - she is dressed for a night on the town.

This morning:

"An overnight break in the 17th Street Canal levee is allowing water from Lake Pontchartrain to pour into New Orleans, already flooded by Hurricane Katrina. Televised accounts said this morning that people have been trapped in the upper stories or attics of their homes by rapidly rising water. The combined effects of rain, storm surge and levee breaks have left 80 percent of New Orleans underwater, Mayor C. Ray Nagin said. Some portions of the city are beneath up to 20 feet of water."

It makes me think of this scripture:

"Matthew 24:38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. "

The capacity of humans to "let the good times roll" despite the dangerous calamity waiting just around the corner never ceases to amaze and frighten me.

Am I Dead Or Asleep On The Sofa?

Speed and Sleep:

I am having really bizarre sleeping patterns. I used to be right asleep at 10:00-10:30pm. That has become 12:00am, 1, 2, 3. I feel fairly energized though as if I'm "plugged in" for lack of a better word.

I know there is this idea that we are waiting on Jehovah to settle affairs on Earth but more and more I get the impression He is waiting on us. Like He is a mile ahead of all us and saying come on, hurry up, finish this work so we can get on with the real life. I feel like there simply is not enough time for what needs to get done to get done - and if I could spend 24 hours reading and studying the Bible and tending to the congregation and preaching the word that it would still be insufficient.

Katrina:

My prayers to everyone that is affected by this disaster. It is really horrible to have to consider this.

Earlier this year the Pentagon released a report speculating about the increased upheaval of society resulting from global warming. They consider a world on the brink of collapse and embroiled in war, famine, disease, and natural disaster. (True believers does that list sound familiar?)

It easy to say, "get used to it." But there is simply no getting used to these type of things. "Getting used to it" carries a certain level of acceptance. We cannot accept these things since they shouldn't be. So-called natural disasters are very unnatural in relationship to the original divine purpose. (Dying of natural causes is a lie.)

These things are only going to get worse. We need to start making preperations. Store up treasures in heaven. Build your faith on a rock mass. Develop a close relationship with your Heavenly Father.

We are so very, very close.

Kristin Hersh:

In my last entry I pointed out Kristin Hersh's new blog. Well no sooner do I provide that link she comes out on this tirade against Intelligent Design. So I'm sorry if I pointed anyone in the wrong direction. The argument to me seems silly but I may just be ignorant. I make no concession that after examing different pieces of "evidence" that I am a staunch creation apologist. But what I question is this notion that my personal beliefs are acting as some sort of restraint for scientific advancement. I deny this idea that if people like me would just embrace evolution then science can march unhindered into a dazzling newage of miracles and understanding.

CSS:

I pulled my hair out designing the new 6a2 site to the point where I have officially given up on HTML tables. I have started a new project and am attempting to learn CSS. It requires a different way of thinking about things but the end results seem much more pleasing as CSS Zen Garden gives fine testimony of. The site is interesting in that it has hundreds(?) of different designs based on the same content. Oh so good.

Wrapped Up In Books

So I've decided to return to using Blogger. An e-friend Eric did it so why shouldn't I? Especially since my e-friend Eric is pretty hip and worthy of imitation in these sort of things. So here it is two minutes in and I'm remembering why I hated blogging with Blogger: Trying to think up titles for these entries.

Wrapped Up In Books

I chose that title for two reasons. 1.) It is the title of a fun Belle & Sebastian song. 2.) Reading books is my center these days and I just happened to have finished the B&S biography "Just A Modern Rock Story"

I read it Wednesday-night/Thursday-morning and finished at about 3:00am. There was just enough time to clock in three meager hours of sleep before rolling right out of bed and into the work very tired. A diversion. If you enjoy Belle & Sebastian and are interested in how the music came about then this book is for you. If you could care less about "twee" Scottish bands then probably this wouldn't hold your interest. But as they say on Reading Rainbow - "You don't have to take my word for it!"

If you came to my house, and really you should sometime, you would see this. On second thought you probably wouldn't see this because I would tidy up a bit. So let's rephrase this. If you sneaked into my house slyly you would see this. An open Bible in every room. Insight books by my bed side. Notebooks strewn about. Other Bible-study publications peppered here and there. And I say these things not to put myself up as some pinnacle of pretense and piety but just to let you know that I definately feel wrapped up in books. Honsetly, there is no Tylenol PM quite as effective as a late-night sedative as Insight on the Scriptures, vol 1. (I'm heretofore reserving judgment on Volume 2.)

Everybody has a blog it seems. I've probably never mentioned her before but my one time favorite musicians Kristin Hersh now has a blog. It is kind of funny in how domestic it is. I say that so very lovingly.

Yesterday we went over to an older couple's house after the meeting. I made it goal a couple of months ago to try to take care of widows and orphans more. I had no idea of how to go about that mission. So it is in life these days, all the motivation in the world but no idea how to go about it. Anyhow we were sitting and I was enjoying the association of a couple of older sisters and I had the sudden realisation that despite myself my goal was being fulfilled. So I guess so long as one sincerely desires to reach out that Jehovah will make it happen. Really if I could just quit thinking and have Him grab me by the neck and steer me around I would be quite, quite happy. But alas I have this free will thing to fight with. (That is a bit of joke. I appreciate the gift of free will.)

Finally, last night I went out to get a snickers, a bag of cool-ranch doritos, and an order of nachos. The sky was very twilight, a nice blue-black. I was playing Sugar Plant and it felt very, very good.

Commentary on 1 & 2 Timothy

The traveling overseer Timothy faced a difficult situation while shepherding and caring for the congregation of Ephesus. Certain ones of that congregation such as Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus were entertaining unbiblical ideas concerning the resurrection and skewed evaluations of material prosperity. Others were continually arguing over aspects of the Jewish law, getting distracted by philosophical musings, or dabbling in mysticism and genealogies. Paul had started to correct these teachings but for some reason had to suddenly leave the congregation. In his stead he left young Timothy to continue to deal with this troubling situation. Reflecting on Paul’s epistles can help us when confronting specious reasonings, false teachings, and the men who propogate them. Indeed also Paul’s letters can do much to improve the types of discussions we have as we pursue a clearer understanding of the Bible's prophecy and remain steadfast in the truth.

Let us consider 1 Timothy chapter 1. In verse 3 Paul mentions the purpose of Timothy’s staying behind in Ephesus. He was told to “command ones not to teach different doctrine, nor to pay attention to false stories and to genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith.”

In Paul’s absence, Timothy was to continually instruct ones in the congregation to not teach false doctrines – deviations from the word of God or teachings of Christ. This may seem obvious at first glance however the Churches of Christendom provide positive proof of the damages wrought by unchecked doctrinal deviations. Sadly we often have witnessed those who do not have a firm grasp on the faith go from questioning prophetic or organizational matters to aligning themselves with Christendom's churches and entertaining or even advancing un-Biblical ideas about Jesus Christ and his spirit annointed brothers.

The next part I find particularly interesting. Timothy was to command ones to not get bogged down in theological or legal research questions. Was this because such research was inherently wrong? It seems to me the focus here is that such questions were not designed to promote faith or godly devotion but simply to be philosophical musings or to occupy the mind with possibly unanswerable questions.

In connection with the Bible there are many things that we often wonder about. There are many things in our readings that we cannot answer and so we meditate on them or do research to find an answer. Such a thing is good. However posing questions just for the sake of debate or for mere show of knowledge can be detrimental. It can refocus our minds from what we know to what we do not know. Can we get so wrapped up in trying to answer the potentially unanswerable that we lose sight of the clear truths of the Bible? Or by having theological debates can we detract from a person’s faith? Maybe by arguing over prophecy we inadvertently cause ones to doubt the inspired word of God? (Such is the sad legacy of "higher criticism" and strange theological reasonings. I should like to comment on such shows of "wisdom" later in a commentary on Paul's letters to the Corinthians.)

Woefully it can be seen that individuals without a firm hold on the truth can be induced to question everything and anything. Like Pontius Pilate they absolve themselves of any responsibility toward God or their fellows by washing their hands and claiming, "What is truth?" It would behoove any mature Christian to be extremely careful when discussing the "solid food" with those who have yet to grasp the "milk" of Bible truth. (Hebrews 5:12) Truly our time would be better spent shoring up their faith in the basic teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

Next Paul clearly spells out the Timothy’s commission in verse 5 where he says, “really the objective of this mandate is love out of a clear heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith without hypocrisy.” This thought is again echoed in verse 18, “This mandate I commit to you, child, Timothy, . . . that by these you may go on waging the fine warfare; holding faith and a good conscience, which some have thrust aside and have experienced shipwreck concerning [their] faith.”

Timothy was going to be waging spiritual warfare against false reasonings, empty speech, and apostasy in the congregation of Ephesus. How was he to attack such destructive speech? It was through love, faith, and a good conscience. This is in harmony with Paul’s other letters were he alluded to our spiritual warfare and made clear that we should attack evil with “weapons of light” such as love. (Romans 13: 12, Ephesians 6:13-20) His and our best course of action is to continue to encourage ones who may be falling into doubts, showing them mercy, loving them, building their faith and snatching them out of the fire. (Jude 22,23)

In 1 Timothy 4:11 Paul again instructs Timothy to “keep on giving these commands and teaching them.” How was he to teach them? 1 Timothy 4:12 continues, “become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness.”

This is an important point. Sometimes we can debate and debate with someone and they still will not come to a proper understanding. However we can teach them by our example in love or faith. This calls to mind Peter’s counsel to Christian wives that through their godly conduct their unbelieving husbands can be “won without a word” (1 Peter 1:2) How true that sometimes our best answer will be a non-verbal one.

1 Timothy Chapter 6:1-5 focuses on the attitudes of the problem members of the congregation of Ephesus. They are described as “puffed up [with pride], not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions, violent disputes about trifles on the part of men corrupted in mind and despoiled of the truth.”

Paul pulls no punches in describing the bad that can result by taking part in questionings and debates about words. Perhaps you have noticed how a “discussion” about some small matter of prophecy (a trifle) can quickly spiral into abusive speeches, name calling, suspicions, and other verbal violence. Or how sometimes when someone counters an opinion or idea that we hold how we can quickly become obsessed with proving ourselves “right” and our brother “wrong”? Is this not a sign of pride? I should like to point out that some Bible translations add to the end of verse 5, “from these things turn away.” Whether or not that is a spurious addition I don’t think that you can argue against the wisdom of it.

Indeed Paul concludes his first letter to Timothy by encouraging that very thing. “O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called “knowledge”. For making a show of such [knowledge] some have deviated from the faith.”

Christians should be mindful to guard against letting themselves get involved in debates and empty speeches. We should not try to elevate ourselves by a show of knowledge and try to force others into our way of thinking by angry debates.

The second letter to Timothy was written as Paul faced his death. Therein he gives Timothy admonition to continue on as a Christian minister. There too he also reiterates how Timothy should act in regards to verbal wrangling.

Once again in 2 Timothy 2:16 Paul instructs Timothy to “shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness and their word will spread like gangrene.” Timothy was to avoid getting involved in these speeches. Just as Paul knew that even detractors could spread the good news of Christ by their constantly speaking against it that “empty speeches” could “spread like gangrene” if one would continue to debate endlessly on them.

Paul continues this line of thought in verse 23 where he tells him to “turn down foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing they produce fights. But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.”

What excellent advice for all of us! We shouldn’t let someone goad us into a debate that will only lead to a fight. Too often we have individuals who seem to only pose topics of conversation that do not propagate love but instead to cause anger or hurt feelings. Even if you honestly feel that you are in the right of what benefit is it if you win a verbal debate but do not “incite one to love and fine works”? Isn't that the primary objective of our fellowship? (Hebrews 10:24:25) Isn’t it sad that while some may take a position that is technically correct that their manner of defending their position or attacking that of others is animalistic and devoid of love?

What can be the good result of turning down such debates? Paul answers in verse 25, “perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth and they may come back to their proper senses out from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him for the will of that one.”

After highlighting the ungodly attitudes of men within the congregation during the last days Paul highlights the a particular dangerous form of man in 2 Timothy 3:6,7. "For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into the households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, lead by various desires, always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth." This is where the real danger lies with those who would advance wrong doctrine. They are not content to keep such deviation to themselves but they enter into the households and pull ones out after them. For such individuals there is really no such thing as truth. God's word is merely a curiosity to be examined endlessly from all sorts of angles. Doctrine is mailable clay to be formed, torn down, and reformed again and again.

To the Apostle Paul there was such a thing as truth and there too would be ones to resist it. In verse 8 of Chapter 3 he describes these resisters as "men completely corrupted in mind, disapproved as regards the faith". While such men may slip in slyly Paul says that as time progresses, "their madness will be very plain to all" for "wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled." (2 Timothy 3:9,13)

Was the situation hopeless? Paul knew that apostacy and wicked men would not be going away. Indeed he aptly prophesied that the situation would continue to deteriorate into a full-fledged apostacy without restraint. (2 Thessalonians 2:7) However on an individual level he trusted in young Timothy's ability to withstand such pressures and moreover help those with a pure heart cling to the truth as well.

He lovingly implores Timothy in verse 14 and 15 "You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what person you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus."

Once we have learned the basic truth of the scripture and have been persuaded to believe it we needn't be like those who are always searching for something more. The wisdom that we gain becomes our grounding so that we do not become "tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error." (Ephesian 4:14) A firm grasp of such truth leads to faith in Jesus. One of the greatest gifts from our Heavenly father is His inspired word the holy scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16). By reading the scriptures and rejecting the harmful "wisdom" of men we can become "fully competent, completely equipped for every good work". (2 Timothy 3:17)

We have the inspired Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12) We have the holy spirit as our teacher. (John 14:26) Yet some still repudiate these wonderful gifts; exchanging them for self-styled teachers of the word. Paul anticipated that just as there would arrive many of these teachers there would not be a shortage of those who would enjoy ear tickling designed to turn them away from hearing the truth. (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

Our response to this is to “preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and [art of] teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2) He counsels Timothy to "keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5). We do well to occupy ourselves with such wholesome activities and not let apostates and false teachers pull us away or soak up our time and attention.

In dealing with individuals that are deviating from the written word and the healthful teachings, following such wicked men, we may feel compelled to reprove, reprimand, or exhort them. However we need to do so with long-suffering (loyal love) and the art of teaching – that is to say with all manner of tact and mild speech. Of what benefit is it that we win an argument and lose a brother? And in reproving a brother wouldn’t it be more loving for us to apply Jesus counsel of Matthew 18:15 and privately discuss the matter instead of in front of others?

I woke up in love this morning

We have a jam-packed weekend. One of those where Sunday night you realise that you didn't get a bit of rest. But it was all good.

My guitar pickups finally came in the mail. I wired them up and it didn't work. Shoot! I got sound out of them but the volume knob doesn't work at all and squalls - squalls ridiculous. Awesome for Sonic Youth! Not awesome for Anthony. I'm going to have to take it in and let a pro handle it. I dislike the pros. I'm sure they will question my judgment about putting expensive guitar pickups in a $2.00 epiphone guitar. People who work in music stores are jerks.

Last night we went bowling with the friends. The college bowling alley was closed so we ended up at the smoke saturated, white trash alley. ICK! I think I bowled a 55. This 80-year old man(brother?) was bowling with us and he smoked us all with a 166. He was pretty funny, always quick to offer advice to the young ladies.

Afterward the young brothers invited me to go play extreme tennis. EXTREME TENNIS? I questioned. It involves hitting the ball over a fence instead of the net and using six tennis courts as a single court. Up to 6 players per side. I begged out.

As much as looking around at the middle-aged ones in the hall makes me sad. The young people give me a reason for joy. I think we're on to something.

I know at least Rebekah and I are on to something . . .

Last year the brothers came by for a visit. We started talking about goals and the questioned me what my goal was. I know what they expected. If you've been in the religion a number of years you could give them the stock/pat answer.

"Be regular in the ministry." "Reach out for appointment as a MS." "Comment at the meetings."

Instead I spoke imperfectly from the heart and said that I wanted to learn how to love. I'm pretty sure they either didn't understand or appreciate. In talking it over with one brother they explained that it's hard for the elders to measure love. They want to see outward displays. So they can measure your spirituality. But you can fake it. If I make 10 hours of field service a month, attend and answer at all the meetings but my heart is evil and corrupt, should that be OK?

It's been a rough year containing both the lowest point of my spiritual life and the absolute highest. I committed myself to that goal but it took time for the pieces to fall into place. I appreciate Jehovah's guidance and direction. Obstacles have helped me see things clearly. All things served to bring me to a fuller understanding.

I've been struggling for many years trying to do what is right. All it took was allowing holy spirit into my life and now everything is better. Let me offer you a brief example:

I used to hate field service. This past Saturday and Sunday I went out both days. Freely. Willingly. Not because I felt forced to. It wasn't because I was trying to meet a monthly hour quota. I did it because I wanted to and couldn't even begin to think of a reason not to.

And so it goes.

None of this stuff has to be hard or a burden. It's incredibly easy when coupled with the right attitude. Like Jesus told us, "my yoke is kindly and my load is light." There's a better way than grinding against a laundry lists of do's and do-not's. There's a better way of laboring than to meet quotas. Believe in the holy spirit. Believe in Jehovah and his power.

Look around. "The love of the greater number is cooling off." Can you see it? Don't become discouraged. You can be a source of encouragement. Let's be positive and joyful and hopefully guide our brothers and sisters back to a better appreciation of what it means to be a Christian.

lots of love

I wasn't going to update but I decided to do it anyway. Don't expect too much.

Let me tell you about scams, particularly Dole Fruit Bowl scams. A week ago at the grocery store I bought two packages of Dole Pineapple Fruit-Bowls. When I got my receipt it had conveniently printed out a coupon for my next visit. It promised .75 off my next purchase of three packages. Yesterday I used the coupon and bought 3 packages. This time the register spit out a coupon for $1.00 off my next purchase of FOUR packs. This cash register had been given the intelligence to always try to entice me to buy just one more on my next visit.

Rebekah and I were looking at old photo albums last night. I found this picture of me when I was about sixteen years old and I was wearing a shirt that I still wear regularly to work today. That's incredibly disturbing. It makes me want to set fire to my closet and start anew.

I finally got my Mates of State DVD as well as their new EP. The DVD was kind of cobbled together. The Mates have good tunes but their personalities are somewhat grating. It's kind of ruined for me. They are self-proclaimed a-holes which is a turn-off. But the new EP was pretty nice. The title track Goods (All In Your Head) is splendid.

You can download a free 6a2 song at Nuclear Gopher Records. It's from our soon to be released album 6a2:SixAfterTwo. I've been hard at it with the album art and also finishing up the tracks. The album art is better than I expected. It involves the use of transparencies which is something I've wanted to do for years but never had an application for it. I've finally found one.

It's kind of jumping the gun but I've also been conceptualizing the new Something Felt web-site. I finally registered the domain name after sitting on the band name for a decade. Fortunately through some stroke of fortune it was still available. The style will be very "cute" and "warm" which coming off of 6a2 will be a welcomed change. The idea for the album art for that album is also being conceptualized. And also are stage costumes. And shooting way ahead I've even named the next album.

I don't have anything else but lots of love.