prayer warriors (following Jesus Christ, everyone welcome)

[ocap]

a comment on Bible translations.

Somewhere in my past, while studying other religions, I found out that one of the cults has changed the Bible from "the God" to "a god". The implication is that there is either one God or many gods depending on which Bible translation you might pick up. Careful consideration of translations is very important, attention to details is a must.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I know this isn't what we're talking about atm (and I will read and respond to that in a bit) but here's another good song by FK&C

[VIDEO]

 

[Flock Master64]

You answered your own question


Anybody is free to help out here, BTW lol, I feel like I'm clogging the thread lately



Ok, I'll use my kids as an example here...

How well does it work if my daughter talks back, refuses to do her chores, is hitting her sister, kicking the dog, and then demands that I give her some ice cream?

In our house, the future of ice cream looks bleak.


But, say she does her chores without bring prodded, is cheerful and thankful in her time with her sister, listens to and lovingly respects me, and snuggles the dog, while asking nicely for some ice cream?

Very likely.

When we are thankful and loving and gracious to others, our Father will be gracious to us. Jesus saves us from death, which is the greatest gift of all, but IMO, in order to receive abundance, we have to GIVE in abundance.



There has to be some scripture on that; anybody want to find it for us?

She kicked the doggy?

 

[Flock Master64]

Oh, I can totally understand the worry when someone who doesn't really care about chickens ends up taking care of them :/ I will pray.

And now kits my turn for a chicken related prayer request
Ka-poof got sick this morning. She was panting like it was 100 degrees in our house, and she wasn't/isn't really moving at all :/ she stopped panting when we put her outside, but is still sick..... I started feeling sick to my stomach out of sheer fear when I saw her sitting on the roost this morning. Funny how quickly chicken people can tell when their girls get sick, isn't it?
I am so scared that shell die..... especially after Lady Jane's sudden departure to heaven a month or so ago, and the lingering fear of Marek's coming back again (although it probably wont).
She's like my sisters baby - literally. She loves us, and we love her. So PLEEEEEASE pray that she doesn't die, or gets better - or both TIA

Of course

 

[shortgrass]

She kicked the doggy?

Oh, no, no she didn't kick the dog...lol she would kick ME before she kicked the dog; I was just conveying a poor attitude that we can have affecting our relationship with God and His many blessings


I will use a real example though. I kicked my turkey. My sweet loving lap turkey; I was in a bad mood and all she wanted was to get on my lap for a pet, and she pecked me too hard, and I kicked her.

Now, do I expect God to bless me with more turkeys when I abused His creation that he trusted me with? Nope.


I view my relationship with God as almost a parent/child relationship. God is showing me how much he's given me to be responsible for, and thankful for. And when I can love Him by honoring and respecting what he's given me with a gracious attitude, He can bless me with more... When I learn to control my anger and not kick my turkey, He might just give me a few more!

Make sense?

 

[Flock Master64]

Oh, no, no she didn't kick the dog...lol she would kick ME before she kicked the dog; I was just conveying a poor attitude that we can have affecting our relationship with God and His many blessings


I will use a real example though. I kicked my turkey. My sweet loving lap turkey; I was in a bad mood and all she wanted was to get on my lap for a pet, and she pecked me too hard, and I kicked her.

Now, do I expect God to bless me with more turkeys when I abused His creation that he trusted me with? Nope.


I view my relationship with God as almost a parent/child relationship. God is showing me how much he's given me to be responsible for, and thankful for. And when I can love Him by honoring and respecting what he's given me with a gracious attitude, He can bless me with more... When I learn to control my anger and not kick my turkey, He might just give me a few more!

Make sense?

Yes

 

[Cynthia12]

We shouldn’t forget that God is literally our Father in Heaven. But when we ask, “Why do I need to know God?” or “How is a divine relationship possible?” we can contemplate the answers from a more earthly perspective. John 17:3 states that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Understanding this principle can help us answer these questions.

As mortals we struggle, we stumble, and we often fail. God does not always coddle us, despite our genuine frustration and tears. But He is mindful of our progress. His watchful eye is always upon us, and through each difficult endeavor, He is there.
It is in that knowledge that we can truly begin to know God. We must humble ourselves in order to entreat our Heavenly Father, to thank Him, to plead with Him—and through that process receive His comfort.
Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us perfectly. Surely He feels sorrow as we wrestle with the challenges common to this life. And He is our greatest supporter, a Father who takes delight in our righteous achievements and reaches out to us in our troubles.
I am very grateful to have a Heavenly Father that loved us so much, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. I so love God and our Savoir Jesus!

 

[lazy gardener]

LG asked about why people didn't just touch Jesus' garment, and why it was so bold for the woman with the blood issue to have just touched him like that... So here's some info on why....

Jewish custom.... And yes, its a long read lol. I didn't want to cut it all up since there are a few different points.



The practice of the traditional Jew is different. The rule is that people of the opposite gender do not even touch each other, let alone shake hands, unless they are husband and wife, siblings, or children with parents and grandparents.

What is the rationale for the Jewish prohibition on men and women touching, let alone shaking hands?

The prohibition of touching (in Hebrew negiah) goes back to the Book of Leviticus (18:6 and 18:19) and was developed further in the Talmud. A person who observes this prohibition is often called a shomer negiаh. It applied not only to close contact such as hugging and kissing, but also to shaking hands or patting on the back. The practice is generally followed by traditionally observant Jews, both men and women, including Hassidic Jews, and those who are referred to as Haredim. It is also observed within the Modern Orthodox community depending on how traditional the person is.

The Question is: Why?

To remove any myths, it can be said emphatically that it has nothing to do with impurity, or with the social or religious status of people who encounter other people.

The reason is a rather complex, even Freudian rationale. It is felt that touching a person of the opposite gender is essentially a sexual act, or at least the precursor of a sexual act. While it is true that most handshakes between men and women do not lead to sexual relations and are not even contemplated, sexual relations always begin with touching. It is also true that a handshake does communicate feelings albeit on a superficial level.

It has been recognized however, that there are many instances in which men and women can and perhaps even should, touch each other. This would apply to saving a person who is facing a life-threatening danger. Members of the health professions may obviously touch members of the opposite gender in the practice of their discipline, as may hairdressers or physical therapists as a necessary component in the practice of theirs.

The issue that seems to have caused the most discussion is whether there is an exception to the prohibition in a business situation. Some commentators take the position that where shaking hands is in a business context, and is clearly a non-affectionate contact, it is permissible under Jewish law (Наlасhаh). The Office of Career Services at Yeshiva University, which is considered Modern Orthodox, takes this position as part of the interview process for its students applying for jobs after graduation. Haredim and Hassidic commentators do not agree.

Traditional Judaism regards touching as a highly sensual actSome commentators would allow the handshake only when one person offers their hand. Here the rationale is that to refuse to reciprocate would embarrass that person which would be wrong. Rabbi Harvey Belovski of Golders Green Synagogue in London describes this position as being that of a respected minority, but not that of the majority of halachic experts. People who describe themselves as shоmеr negiah would not shake hands even in a business context. In their view, in our society where people are trained to appreciate cultural and religious differences, a short explanation would prevent anyone from feeling embarrassed.

Traditional Judaism, unlike some other faiths, regards touching as a highly sensual act. It takes the view that it is not only an important part of marital relations, but one that is only permitted in those relations. To shake hands as a casual courtesy and nothing more is the first step leading to the desensitization of sensuality between husband and wife.

Rabbi Baruch Emmanuel Erdstein of Safed, who holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Michigan, states that "the casual touching of members of the opposite gender can only dull our sensitivity to the sexual power of touch."

А Further Thought

Quite apart from the sexual analysis of some commentators, some commentators point out that an individual's body is personal, and at times to even touch is an intrusion into one's personal dignity. According to this approach, a man should not touch a woman, nor a woman touch a man, out of respect for the space of each other as individuals—especially individuals of the opposite gender who should reserve a certain level of privacy with respect to each other.

Even if both parties wish to touch, or shake hands, that act is still going beyond the bounds of what should be respected.

This concept is also evidenced with regards to touching someone (even of the same gender) for whom one has a great deal of respect. For that reason, when the late Rebbe of Chabad was alive, his followers did not shake his hand.

This practice is not unique to Judaism. When a Texas politician put his hand on the shoulder of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who was visiting the USA, it was regarded as a highly improper social faux-pas. It was not because the Prince was the politician's "better," but because it showed a lack of respect for the prince not only as a visitor, but as the visiting representative of another country. A similar incident took place not long ago in Europe when the American president placed his hands on the shoulders of the lady Chancellor of Germany. This was considered disrespectful towards her, both as the representative of another nation and as an individual.

The key is respectTraditional Judaism translates the showing of respect for the personal space of members of the opposite gender into the social practice of not shaking hands. The key is not the shaking of hands. The key is respect. If we once again offered seats to ladies and opened doors for each other, we may have a more sensitive, kinder and respectful society. Far better than shaking hands.

SG, can you quote the source of the text you're quoting in this regard? Cultural differences are interesting, and are helpful in good communication across cultures. Once, many years ago, when I was a student, my instructor was evaluating a woman of Asian decent. He needed to see her feet. So, asked her to take her shoes off. She was horrified. I went and got a towel, and put it on the floor. She was then willing to comply with the request. How did I know that? No idea! But, sometimes, it's necessary to take a step back, and pause for a bit to try to figure out why we don't see eye to eye with the other person. As for the touching of the garments of Jesus, one commentator (the one I posted a link to for this study) stated that it was unacceptable to touch a Jew in a public place because there would be no way for the person being touched to know if the person doing the touching had come in contact with something that makes him unclean, thus passing that "unclean" on. As for the woman with the issue of blood, that made her unclean. She was a social outcast for all of those years, and would not have been allowed to join society because she was "unclean." She committed a sin by touching Jesus, and I believe she sinned by coming out into public. Correct me if I'm wrong here regarding Jewish law regarding such instance.

 

[shortgrass]

SG, can you quote the source of the text you're quoting in this regard?  Cultural differences are interesting, and are helpful in good communication across cultures.  Once, many years ago, when I was a student, my instructor was evaluating a woman of Asian decent.  He needed to see her feet.  So, asked her to take her shoes off.  She was horrified.  I went and got a towel, and put it on the floor.  She was then willing to comply with the request.  How did I know that?  No idea!  But, sometimes, it's necessary to take a step back, and pause for a bit to try to figure out why we don't see eye to eye with the other person.  As for the touching of the garments of Jesus, one commentator (the one I posted a link to for this study) stated that it was unacceptable to touch a Jew in a public place because there would be no way for the person being touched to know if the person doing the touching had come in contact with something that makes him unclean, thus passing that "unclean" on.  As for the woman with the issue of blood, that made her unclean.  She was a social outcast for all of those years, and would not have been allowed to join society because she was "unclean."  She committed a sin by touching Jesus, and I believe she sinned by coming out into public.  Correct me if I'm wrong here regarding Jewish law regarding such instance.

Oh, yes! (Mental note, post links too)

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1051760/jewish/May-I-Shake-the-Ladys-Hand.htm



I hadn't thought about that at all! There was the perfect example of me not understanding a verse because I didn't understand the customs of the people I'm reading about

I had never considered that it might have been a sin.. blood, unclean, in public, yikes, touching a holy man with unclean hands!


What a leap of faith; she could have easily been signing her own death warrant by public stoning just for being there!


It also put in perspective a situation at my prior church. A woman that stood off in the corner and avoided all contact with others. At first I thought maybe she was uppity or too good to shake hands, then after talking to her, I thought maybe she was shy, or maybe had a phobia of touching others hands. Now I think she might have just been being respectful to her husband, and not offending other women by touching their husbands.

It's something to consider; there's more to things than meets the eye, and why it's so important to understand context of the scriptures. I would have continued to just skip over those verses if we hadn't dug deeper

 

[LRH97]

Whew! It seems like I haven't been on BYC in forever! With my hatchery chicks arriving this week, work, and church services, I haven't had much spare time. I've enjoyed catching up on this thread in particular. This is another one of my favorite hymns. It is a take on the Te Deum Laudamus, an ancient piece of the Liturgy that serves as a hymn of praise. It is so incredibly majestic, set to the tune of Gustov Holst's The Planets from the movement Jupiter: The bringer of Jollity. The first verse concentrates on praising God and the adoration given to Him by His people and His angels. The second verse is a nod to the Universal Church, that is the Church on earth and in heaven, consisting of us here and those faithful saints that have gone before us. The third stanza reflects what Christ has done for us, echoing the second article of the Apostles’ Creed. In beautifully poetic language this stanza tells us why we praise this great God. It is because of Christ’s death and resurrection that we are able to sing to our God, indeed this is the best reason of all to sing! Christ died for me, was raised again for me, and grants faith to me in the waters of Holy Baptism. Great news indeed! Finally, the final verse tells of Christ sitting victorious at the right hand of God, and the hope that we have in waiting for His return, when we with the faithful will be numbered with all of the heavenly host in the place where praises never cease. I love all types of music, but there is just something about a faithful congregation lifting up their voices together in praise. The 1500 or so Lutherans in the video (many of them youth) do a pretty good job, I think. So here's your dose of traditional Lutheran hymnody!

Lyrics:

1 We praise You and acknowledge You, O God, to be the Lord,
The Father everlasting, by all the earth adored.
To You all angel powers cry aloud, the heavens sing,
The cherubim and seraphim their praises to You bring:
“O holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
Your majesty and glory fill the heavens and the earth!”
2 The band of the apostles in glory sing Your praise;
The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise.
The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng,
Sing with the holy Church throughout all the world this song:
“O all-majestic Father, Your true and only Son,
And Holy Spirit, Comforter—forever Three in One!”
3 You, Christ, are King of glory, the everlasting Son,
Yet You, with boundless love, sought to rescue ev’ryone:
You laid aside Your glory, were born of virgin’s womb,
Were crucified for us and were placed into a tomb;
Then by Your resurrection You won for us reprieve—
You opened heaven’s kingdom to all who would believe.
4 You sit in splendid glory, enthroned at God’s right hand,
Upholding earth and heaven by forces You command.
We know that You will come as our Judge that final day,
So help Your servants You have redeemed by blood, we pray;
May we with saints be numbered where praises never end,
In glory everlasting. Amen, O Lord, amen!​