Easter and Christianity

Easter bunny and eggs? Do you wonder what they have to do with the ressurrection of Christ? Easter, at it's core, is a pagan holiday. It goes way back to Nimrod and Babel. Nimrod was the beginning of the false god of the sun- worshipped by many different religions as Ra, Baal, Belus, Zeus, Jupiter, Zishnu, etc. His wife, Semiramis, became the false god of the moon- Isis, Ishtar, Astarte, Eostre, Beltish, Ashtoreth, Aphrodite, and many more depending on which country you were in. Tammuz, Horus, Krishna, Hercules, etc. was their child. From these two people stems all the false gods of the world.
Nimrod is mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 10:9-10- He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
So what does that have to do with bunnies and eggs? Babylon has a fable of a mystic egg that fell from heaven and landed in the Euphrates River. This egg, of "wondrous" size, was rolled to the bank by the fish and hatched by doves. Out of the egg came Venus, or Astarte, a Syrian goddess. She ws the reincarnation of Semiramis, who was considered too beautiful to go to heaven when she died.  In the Anglo Saxon legend, the godess Eastre was symbolized by a hare and is worshipped as the goddess of spring and fertility.
This is no new thing. In fact, the Bible says in Jeremiah 7:18- The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
These became known as "hot cross buns".
Ezekiel 8:14- Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
Weeping because he died while hunting at the age of 40.
Easter is mentioned in the King James Bible. Many people say that it is an incorrect translation. Here is Dr. Kent Hovind explaining in a simple way why it is translated correctly.

There is so much more information on this. You can check out the book The Two Babylons by Alexander Hyslop.

Happy Ressurrection week!

So, today is the day we remember that Christ raised from the dead. And I just wanted to go over the story.

First off, we must remember that the Jewish day begins at 6:00 pm. They count the evening first, and the morning second. Just like God did in Genesis 1

Our story begins in Gethsemane on Tuesday night.
Mark 14:32- And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Christ had already had the "last supper" with the disciples. Judas had already left to betray Christ to the Religious leaders. And Christ went to get one last prayer in with the Father before all this started.
Mark 14:36- And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Christ did not want to have the sins of the whole world put on him. During his life, he never sinned; and though he lived in a sin filled world, he didn't have the stain of sin upon his person. Like we should today, Christ told the Father, "You're will". We should always submit to God's will, even when we don't like it or understand it.

Mark 14:43-46- And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
Judas had told the Religious leaders that he would show them who Jesus was by betraying him with a kiss. Proverbs 27:6 warns us Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
A friend will tell you what you need to hear, if they're a true friend, not what you want to hear. An enemy will flatter you to your face while destroying your life. The sad part is that instead of looking at how the enemy is destroying their lives, most people focus on the flattering words until it's too late!

Matthew 26:57, 59-66- And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Christ was tried in a court with false witnesses. It was only when they asked him whether he was the Son of God that they found something to condemn him on. The holy, spotless, selfless, righteous Son of God would not lie- He was completely innocent! But to a sinful, self-righteous, tradition holding, religious leader that was something that was blasphemous and worthy of death!

The chief priests proceeded to torture him a bit. Then they took him away to Pilate. This is now our Wednesday morning.
Mark 15:1- And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Here's where it gets interesting. You see from about 6:00 am, Jesus was bounced between Pilate and Herod. While they tried to figure out what the Jews were doing and who would take the blame.
Luke 23:6-7- When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Herod wanted to see a miracle performed by Jesus, but Jesus would play for him. So Herod had his men of war torture Jesus further, and then sent him back to Pilate.
Luke 23:11- And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

Pilate was not very happy about this:
Luke 23:13-15- And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
I find it interesting that neither Pilate nor Herod found anything worthy of death, yet it was worthy of torture! You might wonder just how ruthless the Romans were!

Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, but the religious leaders wouldn't hear of it. They would rather release a murderer and seditioner than to let the man who healed the sick, and helped the blind to see go free. That'll tell you a little bit about those religious leaders!
Luke 23:23-24- And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

So, Christ was hung up during the daytime of Wednesday.
Matthew 27:33, 35- And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
He was on the cross from the sixth hour to the ninth hour of the Jewish day, in Gentile time that's noon until about 3pm.
John 19:28-29- Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
Why did Christ say “I thirst” before giving up the ghost? I believe it’s because of the hyssop (used to give him the vinegar to drink).
Exodus 12:21-22 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Christ came to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, and he was the only one who could fulfill every requirement the law demanded.
Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Luke 27:45,46- Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Christ died around 3:00 pm on Wednesday.

Now remember, the Jewish day began and ended at 6:00 pm.
Matthew 27:57-60- When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
So, when the sun was going down, Joseph of Arimathaea took Christ's body, wrapped it and put it in his tomb.

Here's where all the confusion comes in.
John 19:31- The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
It assumes that the sabbath was always Saturday. The Jewish word Sabbath means special day. And the Jews had many special days.
Leviticus 23:4-7,32- These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
There were many holy sabbath days, which means they wouldn't all fall on a Saturday. There are many more examples, but for the sake of time, we'll use just this one.
So, the sabbath that was an high day was not Saturday.

According to my research, the exact date that Christ was crucified: April 22, 34 AD at 3pm.

Cyrenius was governor over Syria from 51 BC to AD 21, and Caesar Augustus reigned from 31 BC to 14 AD.  Luke 2 tells us that during Cyrenius rule was when the taxing first began, and it was during the reign of Caesar Augustus that Mary and Joseph made the trip to Jerusalem. So Jesus had to be born some time after Cyrenius reign started, but before Augustus' reign ended. His ministry began at 30 years old (Luke 3) and lasted about three and a half year.

Caiaphas served from AD 18 to 36.  Matthew 26 shows that this was the high priest when Christ was crucified.

Pontius Pilate’s reign was between  AD 26 to 36. Matthew 27 shows that this was the governor when Christ was crucified.

His earthly ministry began during the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s rule. He ruled between AD 29 and 36. Luke 3 shows us this is the time that Christ began his ministry.

He was crucified on a Wednesday before the Passover. The Passover is always on the 14th day of Nisan according to Leviticus 23, and it begins at 6pm in the evening. If the data available online is correct, the only date this lines up with is Thursday, March 25, 34 AD (Passover would have begun the day before at evening).

Matthew 27 records Christ’s death at the ninth hour. Their day starts at 6am, putting the time of death at 3pm.

Christ was in the tomb by Wednesday night 6:00 pm. And now for our 3 days and 3 nights. Wednesday night, Thursday night, Friday night, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Christ arose on the Jewish beginning of Sunday, which would be Saturday evening at 6:00 pm.

Matthew 28:2- And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
An angel rolled back the stone. Why? So that people could see inside and find the body missing.

Matthew 28:1,5,6- In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
The women showed up on Sunday morning around 6:00 am to find that the tomb was empty.

There were many more things that happened, I just went to the basics. You can study this exhaustively. But many people wonder why would Jesus have to die?
Leviticus 17:11- For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
God's law to the Jew was that only blood could atone for the soul. There had to be sinless blood shed to take away our sins. But that blood had to be powerful enough to pay for the sins of the world! Only the blood of God himself could do that.

John 20:15-16- Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Christ didn’t ascend from the grave to heaven immediately. In fact, He told Mary not to touch him (because she would defile his sinless offering to God which hadn’t been presented at that moment in time).
John 20:17- Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
So, what was He doing for those 12 hours after he arose? And, why did Mary suppose Him to be the gardener?
Hebrews 9:19-20- For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Christ fulfilled every part of the law! The same process Moses followed to solidify the Old Testament is what Christ accomplished to solidify the New Testament. He was gathering these items from the garden to take to heaven and present with His blood to God the Father.
Guess what book He sprinkled? I'll leave that for you to study out!

Now, each time a person prays and asks Christ to save his soul and apply His sacrifice for sin to their account they get spiritually sprinkled which seals their salvation.
Hebrews 9:23-24- It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 10:10- By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22- Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
No other offering could possibly be accepted by God for the payment of sin because no other person could ever have offered and presented the sacrifice in the required manner!

Romans 10:9, 13- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Christ died for all. He said whosoever shall call. Shall is present tense, and whosoever means anybody! Praise God! I don't have to try to pay for my sins. I just accept what Christ has done for me on Calvary (which is only found in the KJV), and I live everyday by thankfully telling others!

Healthy Minute- Lymphatic Massage

Your lymphatic system carries blood, and all the nutrients and toxins blood transports, to and from the tissues. This system removes wastes from the tissues then filters and cleanses them. They lymphatic system also helps to destroy viruses and bacteria. If your lymph nodes become blocked, then toxins can build up in your system leading to swelling, susceptibility to colds and infection, and can make us feel tired.

Lymphatic massage is a way for you to help your body expel the toxins that are in the lymphatic system which in turn can help the body heal faster. Lymphatic massage has been known to help with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The video below will show you how to give yourself, or someone else, a lymphatic massage.

This lady also has a lot of other lymphatic massages on YouTube.

 

Funny Happenings- Ice Coffee

My mom pulled up to the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant and ordered coffee. She asked the clerk to put some ice cubes in the cup so that she could drink the coffee more quickly without worrying about burning herself.
At the window, there was a delay. We waited and waited, wondering what was going on.
Finally, a teen-aged girl came to the window looking frustrated. "Sorry for the wait, but, the ice keeps melting."

Believer's Heritage- John Dober

It all began with a slave named Anthony. He came to talk to the Moravians about his country, The West Indies, needing missionaries. John Leonard Dober was touched by this man's plea. He told the Lord that if he could find one other person to go with him he would be a missionary to The West Indies. It took a whole year, but John was finally on his way with a fellow Christian named David Nitshman.

David only remained in The West Indies for a few months. But that didn't stop John Dober from accomplishing what God had called him to do. He moved into a small hut so that he could witness among the slaves about Christ. He was able to lead Anthony's brother and sister to Christ.

John was recalled back to Germany by the Moravians, but that wasn't the end of his work for Christ. The Moravians started having a prayer vigil for the lost. Their crest had an ox with a plow on the one side and an altar on the other. This symbolized that, like the ox, they would work for Christ or lay down their lives in His service.

The Lord used the Moravians to send out hundreds of missionaries all over the world. They seemed to always choose difficult regions and hard to reach places, but their influence didn't stop there. Their examples encouraged men such as Robert Moffat, William Carey, and others. Only the Lord knows how many souls came to know and serve Him because one man was willing to give up his life to serve the Lord among some slaves.

To learn more about the Moravian missionaries, click here.

 

Something Beautiful & Here Am I (song)

When we allow God to work in our lives, He can take the mess that we've made and make it into a something beautiful. We just have to be willing to let Him use us!

The Moody Family Series (book review)

My kids absolutely loved the Little House On The Prairie series. I was searching to find them a modern day Christian family series, and I found it! Kids absolutely love these stories about the Moody family. You can follow the Moody's through their days as they homeschool, help others, and find ways to serve Christ.

If you're looking for reading materials that teach children how to love and help each other while overcoming the normal daily struggles, this is the series for you! There are no super powers or violence, but there is a sweetness that underlies the pages and show itself through to the reader. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much the reader picks up!

For more information, or to order, click here.

 

Cappuccino Mousse recipe

1 cup milk
3/4 cup cold strong coffee
1 box instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size)
2 TBS sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar

Beat milk, coffee, pudding mix, and 2 TBS sugar in a large bowl until tick.
In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer until stiff.
Fold both mixtures together and let set in fridge until firmed.
Serve cold.

The Reason There Were No Results (video sermon)

Why does it seem we work so hard to win souls and reach those who need help, and yet nothing happens? There's nothing wrong with God, he's the same yesterday, today, and forever and he's not willing that any should perish. So, what is hindering the working of the Holy Spirit? Dr. Phil Kidd has some insight on the answer.

A Modern Woman (poem)

I am a modern woman with a selfish way of life.

I am pretty and I'm witty and sometimes I make strife.

I lure a man into my web, and make him become "my guy",

And then I start to manipulate him with all my little lies.

I have needs that must be met, and make sure everyone knows

That what I want and what I need are the only thing that goes.

I'll emotionally manipulate and sometimes demand my way,

If he wants a "happy life", he'd better learn to obey!

I'll strut my stuff and dress to impress. I'll catch other men's gaze.

If my man gets jealous, Oh well! He should have given me praise.

My body should be flaunted, and my desires should be met.

Everything I think I want is what I'm sure to get.

My job should come before yours; my career should be a success!

If he has to give up what he wants- I really couldn't care less!

He'll learn that what I want is fickle and changes with my mood,

But if he dares to point it out, I'll give it to him good!

And once my man can no longer give me what I think I deserve,

I'll give him an ultimatum and if he will no longer serve;

Then this relationship is over, I'll drop the stinking rat!

I'll tell him, "I don't love you anymore" and that's the end of that!

I'll whine to all my girlfriends about how terrible he could be.

They'll never know he got that way by trying to please me.

And after I've ruined my relationship and destroyed that silly man,

I'll do it to another guy- I'm a modern day woman!

 

-JCT

A Crick In The Neck

I have heard women say that the man is the head, but they are the neck. While this is true, they are using the saying to mean that they tell the man where to turn and look.
I wonder how many times God tries to tell men what to do only to have their wife turn them in another direction. Sometimes, I wonder if God gets fed up with it and allows a man to listen to his wife instead of him. The poor woman goes on telling the man what "God" says and he listens to her.
Proverbs 14:1- Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Guess what's going to happen. He's going to stand before God, just like Adam, and say, "The woman thou gavest me..." Is that the type of man they really want?
A neck is suppose to support the head. Babies don't have strong necks when they're born. They flip flop their head around, and about scare you to death! It isn't until their necks learn to support their heads that they can move on to learning and growing. How could a baby learn to sit up if his head was flip flopping all over the place?
Many families are just like a baby trying to sit up with a flip flopping head! The husband wants to go a certain way and the wife is flopping the head where she wants it! That family isn't going to sit up for very long! And you can just forget about it ever learning to crawl, stand or walk!
Many times the woman wants to take the man's place. She thinks she can do a better job of leading the family "if only her husband would listen to her". Did you see the error? The husband is suppose to listen to GOD!
Isaiah 3:12- As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Have you ever had a crick in the neck? You want to turn your head, but it hurts to do so? That's what many men feel like. They want to turn and obey God, and their necks hurts them to do so. How long do you think they can keep fighting with the crick?
Yes, we are necks. But, we have the opportunity to either support or cramp. And we must remember there is always a consequence with our decision.
And, to the men. How did you get into this predicament? Do these verses apply?
Proverbs 6:24-26- To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Men! It's not the beauty. It's not the way she makes you feel. She's good at that! You aren't the first! This type of woman will flaunt her beauty to you. She'll get you to think of nothing but her. She'll work her whiles til she has you in her grasp, and she'll hold you there. You'll think you've won, but guess what- She just took your life, and you'll never reach your full potential for Christ until you learn to stand up to her, and if necessary, leave her!
Proverbs 30:20- Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Fellow, she doesn't even see what she's doing as evil. She is probably putting on a religious, self-righteous attitude. And if you don't submit to God, You're going to get stuck in a miserable mess! But, there's hope. Submit to God and do his will no matter what the consequences she throws at you, and God will help you to escape her. He can give you someone who will help you- because only God can change her. He can give you someone who will strengthen the neck, not put a crick in it!
Ecclesiastes 7:26- And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
The problem is that some men would rather please their women than please God. Only the ones who choose to please God rather than women will excape.
But you don't understand- I've waited so long and I finally found someone who is everything I ever wanted in a woman, and she's willing to be with me. I do understand. But, I learned a long time ago that the devil will always offer his best before God sends His will for your life. Jacob saw Rachel first, but God's will was Leah. Just look at what you said, "she was everything I ever wanted"; she might not be everything God has for you!
Proverbs 31:30- Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
They are out there if you will look past beauty and look to God to send you the woman who he has prepared for your life. If you're already with her, you need learn to stand for God and let him work in her heart. Pray for her, but don't compromise God's will for hers. It'll take some patience. It'll take some courage. You may have to say "no" to your desires to wait for God's will; but it'll be worth it!