The Rose Bush: Parables From the Rose Garden

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Troy Wagstaff

The Rose Bush: Parables From the Rose Garden

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my mom and dad working in the garden. My mom loved to garden, she helped my dad in the vegetable garden but was an artist in her flower garden. She didn’t just plant flowers and watch them grow, she was an artist and the plants and bushes were her paint and the meticulously cultivated soil was the canvas.

She would accent the flowers with attractive landscaping rocks and used rose bushes as a back drop on one part of the garden and three huge Lilac bushes in the northeast corner of the garden. The beautiful colors of the garden bloomed all summer long as each flower plant was planted strategically so there were always several flowers blooming in all its majestic splendor.

Every winter my mom would plan her garden. Keeping in mind, the rose bushes and perennials she would decide how to fill in the gaps where the annuals would go. She would see in her mind what the garden would look like and work to achieve her vision.

lessons_from_the_rose_garden1Additionally, she liked to experiment in her garden. She would spend many hours in the winter and early spring going through seed catalogs deciding what kinds of flowers she would like to add to the garden. Every few years she would add a tree or two. She always seemed to want to experiment with nut trees. She never seemed to have much luck with the nut trees but she planted some beautiful flowering ornamental trees.

Even her occasional failures with the nut trees would have a happy conclusion.

One year one of the nut trees that she planted started to die sometime in early summer. She did all that she could do, to try and revive the tree making more than one trip to the nursery for information on products to use to salvage the tree. She pruned, trimmed and fertilized that poor black almond, all to no avail.

The tree gave up the struggle and died in the late fall. The air was getting chilly so my parents decided to cut it down in the spring.

With my moms inclination to try new things . . . Somehow the topic came up of cutting the tree down and use it for our Christmas tree. That black almond tree was only a few years old and wasn’t very large. My mom had a vision for that non-traditional Christmas tree.

Now the air was down right freezing, but my dear old dad cut down the black almond and flocked the tree in the spirit of trying something new, we didn’t know if the flock would stick to branches but it did. After stringing small clear lights and ornaments on the tree, it turned out to be the best Christmas tree we ever had. It was unique and natural and created an ambience that we didn’t expect, but certainly enjoyed.

One year she decided to create a small vineyard with two types of grapes. A seedless green type of grape for eating and a red variety of grape for grape juice. Dad built a fair size Arbor for the grapes to go on. This project lasted several years because of time grapes need to mature and produce fruit.

rose_bush_articleConsidering our climate, the grape project was relatively successful, more so for the juicing grapes than the eating grapes. When the grape project was fully mature, they managed to get about twelve quarts of red grape juice. Because there were so few jars of grape juice they were reserved for special occasions. One such special occasion was New Year’s eve. We would mix Sprite with the grape juice to add a little fizz and stretch the grape juice. To this day I’ve never tasted a better grape juice than the juice my mom’s vineyard produced.

For some reason my mom stopped the grape project and had my dad tear down the Arbor. This grape project took a lot of garden space. My mom decided that she would create a rose garden in that space.

This time the Rose Garden project stayed. That rose garden stayed there until after my father died and was still there when my mom sold the family home.

My mom always enjoyed decorating family graves with roses from her garden. She got very proficient at raising these roses and keeping them pruned so they were continually flowering all summer long.

My mom was a master gardener, not by any formal training although she read a book or two here and there. She gained her skill and knowledge by experience and through countless hours working in her garden. It was also a God given talent for her.

The years went by and my parents got old were not able to keep up with the size of the garden they had. Our family house sat on a plot of ground about 1/3 of an acre.

By now I was moved out of the house married and had a child or two. My dad was in failing health and unable to work in the garden at all. I would frequently get called to go help my mom in the garden by pulling weeds, moving rocks, planting a tree or cutting down a tree and all the other stuff she relied on my dad to do.

I would spend many Saturday mornings pulling weeds and helping around the garden. But as often as I could, I would talk my dad into going fishing on Saturday mornings, both because I love to fish with my dad and to get out of pulling weeds. I never have liked the necessary part of gardening.

It didn’t take much talking to get my dad to go fishing. We had a perfect spot on the river where it was easy for him to access. By the time we got back it was too hot to work in the garden is so we would have to put it off for another week. My mom didn’t get too mad because my dad was having fun fishing but the weeds would keep growing.

Slowly but surely I talked my mom into adding a linear foot of grass to the garden every year or two because it was easier to mow grass than pull weeds. She did not like the idea, but she conceded to the necessity of it. Growing older slows one down in garden work. However, by the time she sold the house the garden was only reduce by a third which wasn’t much considering how large the garden was.

Like I said, the rosebushes were an important part of the garden and keep in mind that she also had a part of the garden which was nothing but roses. Thinking back on it, I would guess that she had thirty-five or forty rosebushes throughout her garden.

Over time she started to modify her garden so that it would require less work and upkeep by letting her perennials grow larger taking more room and growing grass at my urging.

Then came perhaps the saddest point in her life as far as the garden goes when she couldn’t keep up with all of the roses. She asked me to trim the roses one spring Saturday. She was having to give up her dear child, the roses, to me. I was willing to do it but I didn’t know how. I knew how to use the pruning shears by cutting back other bushes in the garden but I knew there was a trick to pruning the roses.

I asked my mom “how do I trim the roses?” Her reply was just to cut them down a little bit and to cut off all the dead wood from the winter. Ordinarily those instructions might’ve been enough, but I knew my mom, and I knew if I didn’t do it right the first time that I would have to go out and do it again and again and again until I got right. I learned early on to get very explicit instructions so that I would do the various jobs to her satisfaction the first time, saving me a lot of aggravation.

I asked my mom again how do I trim the roses but I was more specific and said how many inches down should I cut the stems? She responded “use your best judgment.” Since I wasn’t getting any where with the detailed instructions I wanted, I went out to the Rose Garden and started trimming.

The rosebushes were about three to four feet tall and very thick. I experimented with the first Rosebush by cutting back all the dead stems. I also knew enough about gardening to realize that these bushes needed to be thinned out a little so the sun light could get into the middle of the bush. By the time I got done with the first Rosebush, it stood about four inches off the ground with about five or six stems coming from the base of the bush. Oops.

Never before had I done a job in the garden that didn’t require at least two tries. In her particular eyes there was always a little more that could be done to get it right. After contemplating this situation of a stubby, ugly rose bush I decided that the best thing would be to make all the other rosebushes look the same. I’m not sure why I thought that, but that’s what I did.

After cleaning up all the debris I took a deep breath I called my mom out of the house to look at the completed job. Mom came out at the back door and down the stairs onto the patio. She looked at the rosebushes and in confusion or disbelief, she walked on the grass getting closer to the Rosebush garden. I wasn’t sure what to think of that, but there wasn’t anything I could do now. And with some relief, I was glad that I was an adult and married and not able to be grounded. She got a little closer and then exclaimed with exasperation “oh Troy, what have you done to my rose garden?”

Hoping that I could persuasively make sense of it all in my explanation I said “I did what you told me to do, I use my best judgment.” That statement helped, but not to the extent that I had hoped for. She went on to say “don’t you know any better than that?” Easily I replied, “no, I don’t. You never taught me how to prune roses.”

I was surprised that the next thing she said was “well, let’s hope they grow back.”

lessons_from_the_rose_gardenThat’s not the end of the story of the rosebushes. A few months later I and my family were visiting my mom and dad and having a barbecue on the patio in the backyard. I looked at the Rosebush garden and was stunned by the vibrant growth that had occurred to every Rose bush. Not only had they grown tall, really tall, but the Rose Garden was a sea of variegated beautiful rose colors with blossoms and buds in an endless array of coloration.

As we were eating our dinner on the picnic table my mom said to me what do you think of the rosebushes? This is the best year I’ve had in the Rose Garden. I admitted that I was surprised they survived by trimming incident. They were gorgeous.

There is a moral to the story, as a result of the accidental but drastic trimming, the rosebushes performed better than ever fulfilling the measure of their creation.

The application of the story is that we can grow from the adversity that we face. Sometimes we have trials and tribulations that are like a skilled gardener expertly trimming the roses just right and like the rosebushes turning out bright and beautiful we can turn out better and more fulfilled than we otherwise would have.

I was not skilled at trimming roses. What I did to those roses was nothing short of a life altering event in each of the rosebushes lives. Yet, with my mother’s tender loving care to those rosebushes by properly fertilizing and watering them, they overcame that life altering event that I caused them and they became better, bigger and more beautiful than they ever had been before.

Sometimes the trials and tribulations that we will go through are deliberate and under the control of a loving, caring Creator. Other times we go through trials and tribulations as a consequence of our behavior.

Yet, at other times we go through trials and tribulations through no fault of our own, like drastic pruning. Sometimes these trials can be life altering events, but with the tender loving care of our merciful Heavenly Father we can become taller, bigger, brighter and more beautiful than ever before.

Let us not be afraid of being pruned by a master gardener or even cut back dramatically by reckless acts of mortality, in the end, with The Saviors help, we will truly blossom in all the glory possible.

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Joseph And The Coat Of Many Colors

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Troy Wagstaff

Joseph And The Coat Of Many Colors

To all good Christians who find themselves, through no fault of their own, plagued with all manner of affliction, pain,trials and tribulations; to all those humble Christians who may be prone to ask “do I have the strength to go on?”, “can I continue to fight?”, and “will anything work out?”. To all of you, I want to share one of my favorite stories from the Bible. This is the story of Joseph, known for his coat of many colors.

All we need to do is look to this great historical figure found in the Bible to find the answers to these questions which will also give a great deal of hope and peace for your inner conflicts and outward struggles.

This is a story of bad things happening to a good person. This story shows that Jesus can be with you always. It is amazing what can be learned in a story where a seventeen year old can be kidnaped, sold into slavery and be falsely accused of a felonious act which results in imprisonment only to rise to prominence in the King of Egypt’s court.

The story of Joseph of Egypt is a story of hope, faith and perseverance. It’s the perfect story to illustrate the doctrine of Romans 8:28 where it says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Joseph was around seventeen years old when his father Jacob sent him after his brothers who were tending their father’s sheep.

Joseph had numerous siblings, eleven of which were brothers. These eleven brothers hated Joseph. Every one of those brothers had sinned and some grievously. Their animosity toward Joseph was unfounded and based on sinful desires and unrighteous behavior, pride and jealousy.

These twelve brothers are the twelve tribes of Israel. Eleven of the tribes (or brothers) were gathered at their base camp keeping watch over their large flock of sheep when they saw Joseph approach from a long way off.

As they saw Joseph making his way to camp, they talked among themselves expressing a desire to kill him. Reuben voiced his opinion not to kill him.

As Joseph walked into camp most of the brothers over powered him and through Joseph into the pit.

They tore off his coat of many colors that father Jacob had made for Joseph and tore it into pieces dipping a piece of the coat into goats’ blood. They would show their father Jacob the coat and tell him that Joseph was killed and devoured by a wild animal.

Rather than kill Joseph, Judah suggested that they sell him to Middionites going towards Egypt.

These slave traders and merchantmen paid twenty pieces of silver for Joseph, the common price for a slave of Joseph’s age. Joseph was taken against his will to Egypt and sold to Potiphar the Captain of The Guard and an officer in Pharaohs court.

Joseph was now a slave to Potiphar. He was almost the victim of murder, he was beaten by his brothers whom he loved and he was kidnaped and sold into slavery by his brethren. Now he had to start his life over again as a slave.

God was with Joseph at all points in his life. All that Joseph did was favored of the Lord and everything he touched was blessed by the Lord and well favored. Potiphar didn’t take long to see that Joseph was very industrious and successful. The Captain of The Guards saw Joseph’s success and knew he was well favored of his God.

Joseph was promoted and eventually served as the head of the house hold of Potiphar. The evil seductress that was Potiphar’s wife was attracted to Joseph and tried to seduce Joseph. Being a just and virtuous man, Joseph refused to sleep with his master’s wife. Not only did he turn her down, he ran from the house as fast as he could to avoid any further temptation. Joseph also refuses the temptress’s advances out of loyalty to Potiphar.

Sadly, Potiphar’s wife grabbed a hold of his tunic as Joseph was running out of the house. She started making all kinds of noise and had Joseph’s tunic in her hands and showed Potiphar the shirt. She told Potiphar that Joseph and tried to rape her and while she was busy beating Joseph off, she managed to grab his tunic in the struggle. Needless to say, Potiphar was very upset and put Joseph in prison, the same prison where the Kings prisoners were held.

Now after all that Joseph had been through, and being unjustly accused of rape and being thrown in prison. Joseph didn’t get mad at the Lord, he accepted the will of the Lord and as a result found mercy from Him.

Part of that mercy was that the keeper of the prison started to favor Joseph and treated him kindly. After a time, the prison keeper entrusted Joseph with the responsibility of running the prison. The Lord was with Joseph again, and everything that Joseph did while serving the prison keeper as a prisoner was prosperous and efficient.

It is important to note that after every trial and every trouble, Joseph was blessed. This is a testimony to us that God is with us always if we continue to be faithful to Him.

While Joseph was in prison serving out his sentence, he came across the Kings Butler and Baker. These two men had been sent to prison by the Pharaoh.

After a period of time they both had dreams that they did not understand. The content of the dream vexed the Butler and the Baker and they couldn’t understand what the dream meant. Joseph was making his rounds through the prison and he came across the Butler and asks him why he looked so upset?

The Butler said he had received a dream the night before and he was perplexed about the dream and frustrated by it. The Butler felt like it was important to understand this dream but couldn’t figure out the meaning of it. The Butler told Joseph the dream and Joseph was able to interpret it.

Joseph told the Butler that in three days he would be released from prison and Pharaoh would restore him to his position as Butler. Needless to say, the Butler was very happy about the dream he had received. Joseph told the Butler when you find favor in the king’s eyes please tell him about me so that he might set me free. The Butler willingly agreed.

Joseph then interprets the Bakers dream. He told the Baker that in three days Pharaoh would take him out of prison, remove his head and place it in the tree where the birds would eat his head.

Three days later there was a birthday party for the king of Egypt. The Butler was taken out of prison and restored to his job and the Baker was taken out of prison, killed and his head was placed in a tree for the birds.

The Butler for whatever reason did not tell Pharaoh about Joseph in the prison. So Joseph continued to languish in prison serving the prison keeper and doing his time.

Sometime later, the Pharaoh had a dream and no one in his court could interpret his dream. The Pharaoh was troubled, wanting to know the meaning of his dream. The Butler then realized that he had forgot to tell the Pharaoh about Joseph who was in prison and who had interpreted his dream and the late Baker’s dream. After telling the King about Joseph in prison, Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison and told him his dream.

Joseph interpreted the dream saying that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph suggested a few things that the Pharaoh should do to take advantage of the seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine.

The Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of this program to store a portion of each year’s harvest for seven years. The king of Egypt made Joseph the ruler over all of Egypt. The only person higher than Joseph throughout the land was the Pharaoh, himself.

After the seven years of plenty there was a great famine, not only in Egypt but over all the face of the earth. People from all over the country would come to Joseph to buy grain. Eventually people from other countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph.

This is the quintessential story that illustrates that bad things happen to good people. Never once did Joseph complain or murmur. Never once did Joseph blame God for all his misfortune. Joseph could’ve given up. But just the opposite happened, Joseph loved God with his whole soul and refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife to honor Gods commandments of chastity and keep his virtue. He is then rewarded by imprisonment.

Joseph is not bitter. Joseph loves God and wants to serve him and stay true to all of God’s commandments. Joseph was a four-time victim of wrongdoing and false accusations. Did Joseph ever play the role of the victim? Emphatically no! Every time Joseph’s life took a turn for the worse he was true and faithful to his Lord and each time the Lord blessed him.

The tribulation that is Joseph’s life is not yet over with. He is then faced with a very great challenge to choose to forgive or not to forgive his eleven brothers.

This last test almost seems harder than actually being kidnaped or sold into slavery or falsely accused. Joseph knows his God, and he knows the teachings of his Lord and he knows that he is required to forgive all men. To the credit of Joseph, he forgives his brothers and sends them back to bring his father and the rest of their family to live with him in Egypt.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Can God work with broken people, and surely Joseph was broken more than once, at least physically and mentally but not spiritually? God does work with broken people, he heals them or strengthens them and uses them for his own good.

Joseph didn’t know the end game to his life. But he did know that he was to be diligent, and to keep on serving the Lord in any way he could, always keeping the commandments of God and striving to be the best he could be.

For Joseph, the end game was to not only save his father’s house, the twelve tribes of Israel, and all of Egypt, but to save the whole world from famine and starvation. Joseph played a huge part in God’s dealings with his children during that time on earth.

Every one of us is broken, in one way or another. Each of us has been victimized in one way or another. Each of us have had trials and tribulations in our lives. And in some ways, we are like Joseph. Things have happened to us through no fault of our own, whether they are poor health, chronic pain, rape, or the victim of some other terrible crime or life-threatening illness. All of us have had or will have many difficult or trying episodes in our lives..

Because of Jesus suffering in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross on Calgary, he has felt our pain and carried our sorrow and paid the price of our sins. Through Jesus Christ, the parts of us that are broken can be fixed. We can be healed.

If we strive to understand God’s will for us and humbly submit ourselves to whatever the Lord wants us to do, we can be healed and given the strength to live out the rest of our life in peace.

Throughout all of Joseph’s tumultuous life he lived in peace. He had troubles, trials and tribulations which he always meet with grace and peace because he was always devoted to his Lord. So as we try to live out the rest of our life in peace, keep in mind that does not mean we won’t still have trials and tribulations, but we will have peace throughout our days on earth.

Understanding these principles taught by the story of Joseph in Egypt, we can truly understand the following verse: ” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

By Troy Wagstaff

 

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Joseph and Mary, Zacharias and Elisabeth Parents and People

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Troy Wagstaff

Joseph and Mary, Zacharias and Elisabeth Parents and People

 

What Can We Learn From the Two Best Sets of Parents in The New Testament? – Joseph and Mary – Zacharias and Elisabeth

What can we learn from the parents of Jesus Christ? What can we learn from the parents of John the Baptist? Surely these two sets of parents are four of Gods greatest children, to be parents of Jesus Christ and John The Baptist.

What Can We Learn From Joseph and Mary?

MARY

Let’s look at the story of Mary, the mother of Emmanuel.

The heavenly angel Gabriel was sent from God to appear to Mary, a virgin, espoused to a good and just man named Joseph, from the house of David.

Gabriel’s salutation to Mary was “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.” Mary thought to herself “why would someone treat me like royalty?”

Sensing her uneasiness, Gabriel said “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God.” He went on to tell her that she would conceive a man child and carry him to full term and when the son was born, she would name him Jesus.

Gabriel went on to say “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Mary replied thinking out loud, how can that possible be since I have not been with Joseph or any man for that matter.

The heavenly messenger explained that “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

To help her understand this was possible, Gabriel told her that her cousin Elisabeth had conceived in her old age a son and was six months into her pregnancy. This is the same Elisabeth that was called barren. “ For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

One of the greatest statements in all of Holy Scripture is thus spoken by Mary to the Angel “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

Mary, a virtuous woman, was full of incredible faith to submit herself to Heavenly Father in that fashion. She had no doubts, just strong actionable faith on her part. Very few Biblical story’s equal the kind of faith Mary had!

JOSEPH

Joseph and Mary were espoused to each other which was a legal issue in their day. They were not married but their espousal was a legal arrangement. During this time of engagement Mary would have lived with family or friends. The only means for Mary and Joseph to communicate with each other was with a friend or a go-between. This situation made it difficult, if not impossible for Joseph and Mary to be together physically.

There could be no personal, one on one communication between Joseph and Mary. Joseph found out about her pregnancy through the go-between. He knew nothing about Mary’s very special role in Gods work.

With no information other than Mary was pregnant, he had to make a choice between a public trial or give her a letter of divorcement. If Mary was found guilty in the public trial there would be a good chance that she would be put to death. Joseph would’ve been legally justified in taking that course of action.

Joseph had a second option which was to sever the marriage contract before witnesses and avoid the public spectacle of a trial. We all know that Joseph opted for the second choice because he didn’t want to make a public example of Mary.

This experience teaches us a lot about Joseph, soon to be the stepfather of the Messiah. The Scriptures bear no record of Joseph being bitter or angry. The Scriptures do tell us that he was a just man and so it was natural that he would take advantage of one of the two options to sever their relationship based on her pregnancy.

Once Joseph had decided to put Mary away privily (he had not gone through with the process yet) he was still deep in thought about the whole situation when an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream. The angel said “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph awoke from his revelatory dream he did as he was told by the Angel and took Mary unto him as his wife. They refrained from physical relations until after Jesus was born.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM JOSEPH AND MARY:

What good is it to read and understand the stories and teachings of the Bible if we don’t learn from the people in these inspired stories? We need to ask ourselves what can we learn from that teaching or from that proverb or from that parable or from that teaching?

The first thing that comes to my mind is faith and the second thing that comes to my mind is obedience. Mary’s story and Joseph’s story happened as they did because each of these two figures had great faith to begin with and when their faith was tested, they exercised even greater faith and were obedient to the instructions of the heavenly visitor.

It’s one thing to say I have faith, but it is another thing to actually translate that faith into action. I have heard some people say that faith is a verb, or an action word. One cannot say I have faith and then sit back and do nothing. If Joseph said I have faith that what the Angel told me is true, but went ahead and filed for divorce would he really have shown faith?

If Mary was thinking to herself “I do have faith in God,” while Gabriel was speaking to her but then when he got to the part of her bearing a child that wasn’t from Joseph; if she had turned and ran away from the Angel, would that have been real faith?

For faith to be faith, it has to be followed by obedience. Both Joseph and Mary showed their faith by their works, by acting in obedience to the divine instruction they received.

This story of Joseph and Mary also shows a great love that they had toward one another. Both Joseph and Mary honored their love by being loyal to each other. Either one of them, or both of them, could have easily run away and refuse to take part in this wonderful, earth shattering event.

Imagine what their marriage was like with such a great love toward one another as they had, as well as their great love toward Heavenly Father, manifested by their faith and obedience to Him.

ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH

Zacharias was a righteous and honorable priest, who was married to a righteous and honorable woman known as Elisabeth. It was said of them “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”

They both had lived their lives’ faithful according to the teachings of the gospel and were considered old and Elisabeth was barren, thus they never had children.

It is fair to assume that they prayed earnestly to have children through the years and as no children came, perhaps they prayed that they might have just one child, but they were not the thus blessed. Even though their righteous desires of children went unheeded by the Lord they remain true and faithful to the teachings and commandments of the gospel. They each endured to the end.

ZACHARIAS

As a priest, Zacharias had a responsibility to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

At the time of this story, Zacharias had gone into the temple to burn incense while a multitude of people were praying outside of the temple during the time of incense.

While Zacharias was in the temple, near the altar of incense, there appeared an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. A righteous man though he was, Zacharias was a little frightened and fear fell upon him.

The angel said unto the Zacharias “fear not for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”

The Angel went on by saying that many of the children of Israel will turn to the Lord their God because of the child Elisabeth would conceive and deliver. The son of Zacharias, who would be called John, would go before the Savior in the spirit and power of Elias preparing the way for the short, three year ministry, of The Messiah.

The Angel said “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

To all this Zacharias said to the heavenly messenger “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” This must have been said with some doubt or disbelief because the angel’s reply was “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

Meanwhile, outside of the temple, the people that were praying while Zacharias was supposed to be burning incense at the altar started to wonder what was taking him so long in the temple? Is he having a vision some wondered?

Finally, Zacharias came out the temple door and could not speak. He attempted to speak to the crowd gathered outside the temple door but could not.

Zacharias was a very diligent man but tripped up while engaging with Gabriel, the heavenly messenger, which lead to the consequence of being struck dumb or speechless for more than nine months. But even while he was in the “dog house” so to speak, he remained at the temple doing his work until the days of his ministration were over at which point he returned to his own home.

ELISABETH

It was sometime after that event that his dear wife Elisabeth conceived a child in her old age. However, she hid herself for five months after conception. I don’t know why she hid herself for five months; some say maybe she was unsure about her health and age combined with being pregnant. Some suggest maybe she was ashamed to be known to be old and barren and then suddenly pregnant. Others have suggested that it took her some time to adjust to the idea of being pregnant after a life time of being barren. She now had a new identity that she needed to come to terms with. No one knows for sure.

In the context with which the word “reproach” was used, it means shame for being barren or without children. Now at last she was with child and no longer carried with her the associated stigma of being barren. A great blessing for Elisabeth.

MARY AND ELISABETH

Jesus and John The Baptist knew each other in the Spirit World. Before they would be reunited on earth, the met up with each other while they each resided in their mothers’ womb.

Mary went to stay with Elisabeth for a while. When Mary greeted Elisabeth, the baby John leaped within her womb at the presence of the Savior in Mary’s womb. Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

While these two elect ladies were talking with each other, Mary expressed her joy to Elisabeth, the one who could understand her situation better than anyone else. She said “my soul doth magnify the Lord.” She went on to say “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.”

These statements indicate that Mary was learning and coming to terms with what an important role she was involved with and just how important she was to the biggest event in the history of the earth.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Mary stayed with Elisabeth for about three months before returning home. Shortly thereafter, Elisabeth gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It was around this time when Elisabeth’s neighbors and cousins had heard how the Lord had blessed her and Zacharias with this new baby boy. It was truly a time of rejoicing and her neighbors and cousins rejoiced with her.

The custom of the day required that the baby boy be circumcised on the eight day and given a name. During the ceremony they called the baby boy Zacharias, after his father, as was also a custom.

But Elisabeth said objected to naming the boy after his father. She said his name will be John.

It was the custom of the day to use a family name when naming a baby boy. Elisabeth’s objection did not make sense to the crowd.

Keep in mind that Zacharias was still mute but some in the crowd went to him to see what Zacharias wanted to call the boy. Zacharias asked for a writing table and wrote a message saying that the boys name is John! As the crowd was marveling at this event, Zacharias’s mouth opened immediately and his tongue was loosed and he spake and praised the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All the crowds that saw and heard these things were talking and wondering among themselves, some saying what manner of a child will this be? Others were saying that the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias being filled with the Holy Ghost stood up and started to prophesy saying “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant.”

Zacharias went on talking and prophesying a little more before he turned his attention to his son John, when he said “Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

LESSONS LEARNED FROM ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH

Some of the lessons learned from Zacharias and Elisabeth are very similar to the lessons learned from Joseph and Mary. However there are a few other points worth making as we review the great lessons from Zacharias and Elisabeth.

While Zacharias was in the temple performing his priestly duties, he was visited by Gabriel, a heavenly Angel. Gabriel told Zacharias that the prayers of Zacharias and Elisabeth were going to be answered by Elisabeth conceiving and baring a child and the child’s name would be John.

John expressed a little doubt that this could happen considering how old he and Elisabeth were. This display of doubt resulted in the consequence of Zacharias being stricken speechless. He was told that he would not be able to speak until their baby was born. At this time Elisabeth was not pregnant which implies that Zacharias was mute more than nine months.

Zacharias is an interesting character in the Bible. He was a very righteous man and a man of great faith. When put to a test of his faith, he faltered a little (similar to Peter faltering when walking on the water toward Jesus). What I find interesting about this is that it shows that even good, strong, and righteous people make mistakes. This is something we should all be able to relate to without judging.

Another point worth making about Zacharias was that even though he was struck dumb he continued his service in the temple until the event was over. Even after he was punished for his lack of faith, he didn’t just run away and feel sorry for himself, but rather he took his punishment and continued his Temple service. This is a good lesson for us to understand.

This same issue also points to the fact that Zacharias was a regular guy, a very righteous man, but was subject to mistakes and foibles just like we are. That concept gives me great hope, I make mistakes and I’m far from perfect, but I can be blessed by the Lord, and I can be used by the Lord according to his will.

Zacharias and Elisabeth had prayed to have children throughout their married life, but they never received their righteous desire. Elisabeth was beyond the years of bearing a child, which to us means that she was past menopause. For whatever reasons, Elisabeth felt a sense of shame for being barren throughout her adult life.

For however long they were married they were seeking a righteous desire to have children which were denied them. They were good righteous people, does that seem like a just reward, denying these two good people the blessing of children?

Throughout the Scriptures the same theme is taught over and over that if you ask in faith nothing wavering or if you have righteous desires and pray with faith that you will receive and finally the Scriptures teach that with God all things are possible.

So why didn’t Zacharias and Elisabeth have the children they desired? The moral to the story is that things happen in the Lord’s time frame, not our type frame. When they were allowed to have a child, they were blessed with one of the greatest prophets the earth has ever known. So when we are looking to God for blessings, we need to remember that often the answer will be in His time frame and not ours. We need to ask with faith, nothing wavering and with great patience.

Learning lessons from the lives of Joseph, Mary, Zacharias, and Elisabeth could fill a book with worthwhile teachings and analysis. Don’t let this short paper lead you to believe that that’s all there is to learn from these four great people.

Prayerfully read for yourself, the first chapter of Matthew and the first chapter of Luke, and ask yourself what you can learn from these great stories and consider what you might learn from these experiences that can improve your personal discipleship and increase your faith.

Troy Wagstaff
CallahanWriter

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40 Facts About Noah and the Ark

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

FACTS ABOUT NOAH, THE ARK AND FLOODS AND RELATED EVENTS

At the time Heavenly Father spoke to Noah about building an ark and saving the Animal Kingdom and his family from utter destruction the earth was evil and corrupt with abounding wickedness. At the same time the population of the earth was involved in their own lives like every other day in spite of Noah preaching to them. Let’s take a closer look.

Condition of the earth and the population therein:

1. “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Genesis 6:11-12) There were only eight righteous people on the earth that qualified to be saved. Noah and his wife. Their three sons and their wives.

2. No was a preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) Therein lies a safe assumption that Noah preached to the people and the people had a chance to believe the word of God.

3. “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,” (Matthew 24:38, Luke 17:26-27)

4. God was longsuffering towards the people who live upon the earth. All the wicked had a chance for repentance while the Ark was being prepared. (1 Peter 3:20)

5. Noah was a great man, a prophet of the Lord and a man of great faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

6. Noah was a just man who walked with God. (Noah was not indecisive, he was a man of great faith and righteousness who was deliberate and confident in his relationship with God.) (Genesis 6:9)

7. In Genesis 6 verses 6 and 7 it uses the term “repenteth”. Consider the Hebrew meaning of that term. (Repenteth, Repent in Hebrew language: In the Hebrew of the Old Covenant two words are used in the concept of repentance, they are -1. NAHUM – to lament, to grieve. This word is describing the emotions that are aroused when motivated to take a different course of action. 2. SHUB – This word expresses a radical change of mind toward sin and implies a conscious moral separation from sin and a decision to forsake it and agree with God. The second meaning doesn’t apply.)

8. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Genesis 6:10)

9. The Ark was made with Gopher wood with pitch inside and outside of the Ark. (Genesis 6:14)

noah_meme10. The Ark had three stories and measured The length is 300 cubits. Breadth is 50 cubits and the height is 30 cubits. (Genesis 6:15-16) What is a cubit? You may want to research this one yourself. I’m not that concerned about it because it is impossible to know for certain but the average long Cubit is about 20 from a quick look on the Internet. This would mean the length of the ark was about 500 feet long or 1.7 football fields long. But then again, who knows for sure.

11. All flesh upon the earth was destroyed! Both Noah movies have people other than Noah’s family surviving. This is a flagrant error on the part of the writers of the movie, creative license or not. (Genesis 6:17)

12. Noah was commanded to store enough food for his family and for all the animals in the ark. (Genesis 6:21-22)

13. It seems all stories of the animals on the ark say “two by two”. But according to Genesis 7:2-3, it says that he needed seven of every clean beast, male and female. Unclean beasts a male and a female. Of the fowl of the air he had seven of every bird. Later on in the story one of every clean beast and one of every fowl was sacrificed by Noah to God. (Genesis 8:20)

14. Noah was 600 years old when he entered the ark before the flood. (Genesis 7:6)

15. It rained for forty days and 40 nights upon the earth. (Genesis 7:4)

16. Noah’s family and the animals were in the ark seven days before the flood. (Genesis 7:10)
17. Along with 40 days and nights of rain, fountains of water deep within the earth opened up to help flood the earth. (Genesis 7: 11)

18. HOW LONG WAS NOAH IN THE ARK? From the start of the flood their calendar says it was the 17th day of the 2nd month of the year. Noah was 600 years old. (Genesis 7:11) “And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.” (Genesis 7:24). 4 And the ark rested in the 17th day of the 7th month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the 1st day of the 10th month. It was at that time the mountain tops were seen. (Genesis 8:4-5). In Genesis 8:13 it refers to the 601st year. This sounds like a comparison to Noah being 600 years old when he entered the Ark. It refers to the first day of the first year of the 601st year that the water was dried up from off the face of the land. On the 27th day of the 2nd month the earth was dry. (Genesis 8:13-14) This sounds like Noah was on the Ark one year and ten days.

19. The flood was so great that water covered every hill and mountain by at least 15 cubits. (Genesis 7:19-20)

20. It sounds like after 40 days and 40 nights of flooding the ark finally started to float. (Genesis 7:17)

21. Every living substance was destroyed by the flood. (Genesis 7:21)

22. The waters dried up in a continuous fashion, not all at once. (Genesis 8:3)

23. First a Raven was sent for to test for dry land. Then a dove was sent forth to test for dry land. The dove came back empty handed. They waited for another seven days then sent out the dove which then returned with an olive branch in its mouth. Seven days later the dove was released again to never return to the ark again. (Genesis 8:7-12)

24. After moving onto dry land, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices of one of every clean beast and one of every fowl. (Genesis 8:21)

25. The Lord responded to the sacrifice with a promise to never destroy every living thing by water. (Genesis 8:21)

26. The Lord blessed Noah and Shem, Ham and Japheth and commanded them to multiply and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1)

27. The fear of man will be placed on every living animal. (Genesis 9:2)

28. The animals and vegetation are meant for the use of men. (Genesis 9:3)

29. If man commits murder then his life will be required of him. (Genesis 9:5-6)

30. In the image of God was man created. (Genesis 9:6)

31. The Lord made a covenant with men to never destroy the earth again by flood. As a token of that covenant, the Lord provided a Rainbow (bow) in the sky. (Genesis 9: 9-17)

32. Noah and his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth came off the ark, along with Noahs grandson Canaan. Ham was the father of Canaan. (Genesis 9:18)

33. The earth was populated by Shem, Ham (Canaan) and Japheth and their wives. (Genesis 9:18-19)

34. After the flood Noah became a husbandman and grew grapes and made wine. ( Genesis 9:20)

35. Noah and his family stayed together after the flood. (Genesis 9:20-29)

36. Noah was drunk from wine and was found naked in his tent by his son Ham. (Genesis 9:21-22)

37. Shem and Japheth took a garment and covered Noah without seeing Noah’s nakedness. (Genesis 9:23)

38. Noah considered Canaan his son. Noah was very upset and cursed Canaan for thing his clothes. (Genesis 9:24-25)

39. Noah lived 350 years after the flood. (Genesis 9:28)

40. Noah lived for a total of 950 years. (Genesis 9:29)

If you have seen either of the two movies about Noah, the one in 1999 or the one in 2014 and compare it to these basic facts, you can clearly see where the movies are in error and where they are true to the account in Genesis. Be aware of the errors in the movies so that you are not misled. Keep in mind the true biblical facts of the epic story of Noah and the flood.

With the successes of “Bible story” movies you can bet that more will be made. That’s a good thing if you compare it to the movies that are pornography hiding behind a r-rated movie. But a warning needs to be made about them. They are talk creative license from the Bible and they are written from someone’s perspective other than The Lord’s perspective.

I say, make the movies about great and epic bible stories but from a consumer stand point, make sure to do your homework and compare what you saw to what the Bible says about the story.

by Troy Wagstaff

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WHY DO WE HAVE SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING?

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

WHY DO WE HAVE SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING?

“A fire shall devour before him,” “he shall destroy the sinners,” “light is darkened in the heavens,” “heavens and the earth shall shake,” “shall be desolate,” “hailstones, fire, and brimstone,” “the abomination that maketh desolate,” “gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle,” “I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way,” “the day cometh that shall burn as an oven,” “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,” “in the last days perilous times shall come,” “I shake not the earth only, but also heaven,” “opened the sixth seal,” “desolation of abomination in the last days,” “wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire,” “sun and the moon shall be darkened,” “like a refiner’s fire, and the fullers soap,” and “desolation of abomination which awaits the wicked.”

Every one of those snippets comes from the King James version of the Holy Bible. Each of those quotations was taken from passages that were talking about how things would be in the last days prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

If you are a student of the Bible, these quotes probably don’t disturb you, at least they shouldn’t. But to the casual observer, and the occasional reader of the Bible, the snippets sound terrible. Who would want to live in a time that is described in the first paragraph? Like it or not, we are living in those days, the last days.

The Bible teaches hope, love and peace. The Bible teaches of a loving, kind, compassionate and merciful God. So why then are their such terrible descriptions of the last days?

If you were to read each one of the passages of scripture where these fragments were taken from it would paint an even darkert and depressing time in which to live. These days are known as the “last days.” These are the days that will occur just before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Warning Signs

There are a few reasons why the Lord mentioned so many references to the sin, wickedness and tumultuous times of the last days. As the events happen or begin happening, we can take comfort in the fact that the Lord knew it would happen. He told his prophets and apostles about the wickedness and catastrophic events that would precede the second coming.

We can take comfort in the fact that the Lord is warning us through the Bible, about the last days. As we experience these events in the last days (or our daily life) and as we read about them in the Bible, we can prepare ourselves to be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ. As we prepare ourselves for the second coming, we are also preparing ourselves to be able to deal with all the wickedness in the cataclysms of the last days.

That first paragraph is just a small sampling of all the signs of the times of the last days. There are countless more descriptions of how the last days will play out. As we study them from the Bible and look for them to happen, it is much like the parable of the fig tree found in the book of St. Mark:

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

The last days will be in commotion, but the last days will also be much like it was in the days of Noah when he was preparing the ark for the coming flood.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)

sign_of_the_timesIn the last days we will live our lives, work at our jobs, eat, sleep and go about our ordinary business with the backdrop of gross wickedness and commotion, which is just about how it is right now in our day, today.

Looking at a Scripture from St. Matthew, we can see that we are already living in the last days, and we can see that many things are already happening that were prophesied of the last days, and there will be even more wickedness than we have now.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:6-13)

The key to enduring the last days, to be able to live in a positive way, with joy and happiness in spite of all that is going on around us and to prepare ourselves spiritually so that we can cope with all the commotion of the last days and to overcome the temptations all around us during the last days.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21: 25-27)

When reading about these scary activities and events of the last days and reading about all the wickedness and turmoil that is going on just before Christ comes in his glory, we should let it be a positive thing and not a negative experience for two reasons:

The first reason is that we know like the parable of the fig tree that as these events unfold before us, we are drawing closer to the great and dreadful day of the Lord and secondly, we have been warned by prophets and apostles to be prepared for the last days. By being prepared we need not fear.

What can we do to be prepared so that we can live successfully in the last days, or put another way, how can we be prepared to live our life right now? We are living in the last days, with all the sin, the commotion and the wars and rumors of wars. We are living in the last days, so if we are prepared, great! But if we are not prepared, then we are probably having trouble with our life right now. Let’s fix it (our life), and prepare ourselves so that we may live in peace, joy and happiness during troubled times.

Just as the Scriptures teach us about the signs of the times preparatory to the second coming of Jesus Christ, they also teach us how to be spiritually prepared and how to overcome sin and temptation and how to live our life so that when we die can live with our Father in Heaven.

Personal Preparation

The two most important things we can do today for our own personal preparation are to read the Scriptures frequently and to pray often.

As we read the Scriptures, we will be told what to do, and how to do it. There are countless things we should do and many ways on how to do it. One example is… we are told not to commit adultery or to fornicate. The Scriptures tell us not to even lust after a woman (or a man). If we have lusted after someone, we had committed adultery already in our heart.

This example tells us what not to do and how to watch out for it. Don’t do it and avoid thinking impure thoughts. Keep our minds clean from lustful thoughts.

The Bible also teaches us about repentance and how important it is to our salvation. The merciful gift of repentance allows our sins that are red like crimson to be white as wool. After humble and sincere repentance it is like we’ve never committed the sin.

But reading the Bible alone is not enough. We need to put the teachings of the Bible into our daily lives and live like the Bible teaches us to live. That takes practice, we will make mistakes, and as we do make mistakes we can repent as the Bible teaches us to do.

The Bible also teaches about prayer, and how important prayer is, which is why it is the second item in my list of personal preparation. There is no limit to how often we should pray each day.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (St. Luke 21:36)

As we see from the verse in Luke, we are specifically told to pray for our own personal preparation in the last days.

From the Book of Revelation it says: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)

From this verse in the book of Revelation we are told that we will be rewarded according to our works and efforts. Some of that reward will be helping us to overcome temptation and have the strength to resist the mighty temptations we are faced within the last days. The Bible teaches us want to do, so we need to do it. “Doing it” is a form of work.

So if we keep the commandments of the Scriptures and watch and pray often we will be blessed with success in overcoming the trying times of the last days.

As a reward for reading the Scriptures, watching and praying, and keeping ourselves clean and unspotted from the world we can receive a very joyous and righteous reward outlined in this passage of Scripture:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:16-18)

So if we daily read the Scriptures, putting into action the Bibles teachings and pray often, we will find ourselves well prepared for the trying times of the last days we live in.

Additional Blessings Of Person Preparation

If we are prepared or are diligently preparing ourselves for the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, that preparation will help us face life’s challenges. If we should happen to get seriously sick or if a loved one should happen to die, the personal spiritual preparation we had made will give us great strength in dealing with those types of challenges.

Troy Wagstaff

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The Story Of The Birth Of Jesus Christ As Told By The Bible

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

The Story Of The Birth Of Jesus Christ As Told By The Bible

From The Books of Matthew, Luke and Isaiah

This article is a compilation of passages from St. Matthew, St. Luke and the prophet Isaiah woven together to make one complete, harmonized rendition of the birth of Jesus, otherwise known as the Christmas story.

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, nativity-2013lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.

 

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Why Do We Celebrate Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?

We celebrate the lives of very important and accomplished men and women in our western culture by commemorating their birthdays. These men and women are the greatest thinkers, innovators, teachers, and leaders. These are the people who were known to have made a difference in our society.

Using the yardstick of “the greatest thinkers, innovators, teachers, and leaders” is it any wonder that we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ? Truly, Jesus of Nazareth was the greatest thinker of all time; He applied the teachings of salvation in a way that was understandable by the common man. He was the greatest innovator of all time with all the answers to life’s greatest questions relating to our salvation. Our Savior was the greatest teacher of all time, teaching eternal truths and practical solutions for our salvation and He was the greatest leader of all time; more than 2000 years later and more than a billion people on the earth still follow Him.

Our western societies deem His life so monumental and so life-changing, that we set aside two holidays to mark His life. The first bring Christmas to celebrate His birth and life and the second one, Easter, to commemorate His death and resurrection.

We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the day the greatest being whoever lived was born. It is on Christmas Day that we honor and rejoice in the magnificent life of our Savior and Redeemer.

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?

Some holidays that we celebrate each year are special and significant, while other holidays are just another excuse to recreate and barbecue. However, Christmas is a holiday that actually has the power to motivate us to do things. The “power of Christmas motivation” compels us to give of our time by serving at a soup kitchen or some other worthy charity that helps the poor, the homeless and those, otherwise in need.

It is during the Christmas season that we hear wonderful stories of everyday people doing extraordinary acts of service and kindness to their fellow man. We read stories of celebrities visiting children’s hospitals and supporting Christmas type charities such as the Marine Corps’s Toys for Tots, Sub for Santa, Salvation Army or Shop with a Cop and other kind and generous Christmas time activities.

Celebrating Christmas is reflecting on the coming of Christ to earth in a lowly manger and celebrating His sinless perfect life. None of the world’s “greatest thinkers, innovators, teachers, and leaders” have ever been able to affect mankind like Jesus Christ.

The life of Jesus is the perfect example of giving to others and serving others. He healed the sick, He fed the multitudes, He taught the gospel of life and he prepared the way for our salvation.

The birth of our Lord and Savior to the earth was so remarkable and so monumental that the whole Western world reconciled the keeping of time to His birth. If historical events happen before His birth, they are referred to as B.C. If historical events happened after the His birth, they are referred to as A.D.

Jesus taught of giving and serving one another and keeping the commandments of God. He taught us that if we would keep these commandments we would be free from the bonds of sin. To be truly free, Jesus taught us that we can only do so by keeping his commandments.

Symbolism of Gift Giving

Christmas is celebrated as the day of the birth of the greatest man to ever walk the dusty paths of earth. Christmas is a celebration and a reminder of the greatest gift that our Father in Heaven, ever gave to mankind, the gift of his only begotten Son in the flesh.

Our Creator wants everyone one of his children on earth to come back and live with him in Heaven. Like the Scripture that says be ye clean the bear the vessels of the Lord, we need to be clean and free from sin in order to live with our Father in Heaven.

While living in this life, no one is capable of living a sin free life. We all are in need of divine grace and mercy. That’s why our Creator sent Jesus Christ to the earth, to give us an example of how to live our lives and to provide a way for us to repent of our sins and to be forgiven.

We like to attach symbolic meaning to all the trappings and decorations and activities of Christmas, and these are very great, serving a great purpose, but the ultimate symbol of Christmas is in the act of giving, not the gift itself.

While we ponder on the greatest gifts given to mankind from our Heavenly Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, do we ever ponder the other side of gift giving? The receiving end of gift giving? How grateful are we to our Father in Heaven for the gift He gave us in the form of His only begotten Son in the flesh?

Why is the Christmas holiday season such “magical time?” If you can overlook the commando style of Christmas shopping that is associated with modern-day gift giving there really is a magical spirit, a special spirit that permeates the air during the Christmas season. Most people really are of good cheer, with shouts of Merry Christmas and happy holidays and Christmas carols coming through the airwaves of our digital devices.

Christmas All Year Long

The reason why the Christmas holiday season is so magical is because everyone is focused directly or indirectly on many symbols associated with the birth of our Savior. So why can’t, we have that spirit and that magical feeling seven days a week, for 365 days a year?

If the Christmas season is so wonderful and joyful is it not worth trying to emulate every single day of the year? Most Christians would agree with this sentiment. It’s not a hard thing to do and many of us may already be doing it. Celebrate Christmas ever day of the year by giving good gifts, the gifts that really matter, like opening the door for someone with their hands full, or shoveling the snow off of your neighbor’s side walk or being polite when someone else is being rude.

Be kind while driving, be courteous to everyone you interact with, be sensitive to the feelings of others, the kind and thoughtful in your choice of words you use to communicate with. In other words, strive to be like our Savior every day of the year and the spirit of Christmas will follow thus. This will give us a year-long spirit of Christmas.

We celebrate Christmas by paying homage to the birth of The Savior and reflecting on His life perfectly lived. Christmas is a day of celebration and commemoration for our Redeemer and Savior.

CallahanWriter

 

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A Stone Cut Without Hand

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

A Stone Cut Without Hand – Daniel Chapter 2

“Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, where with his spirit was troubled, and his sleep break from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show that came his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.”

Nebuchadnezzar called all of his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and counselors to learn the meaning of his dream. However, he would not tell them what the dream was. In order to know if their interpretation was valid, he would not tell them what the dream was about.

They had to divine or conjure up his dream then tell him the meaning of the dream, “the thing is gone for me: if you will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof you shall be cut off in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.”

That’s a smart move for the king to require his “wise men” to know the dream without telling them what it was. If they could discern his dream then of course, their interpretation would be correct.

His servants said “let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.” When the wise men conceded that they were not going to be able to interpret the dream without hearing the dream first, the king was angry and decreed that all of his wise men would be killed.

Arioch, the king’s captain went to slay Daniel, Daniel asked him what was going on and why was the king so hasty in killing all of the wise men? Arioch explained what was going on and Daniel went in unto the king and asked him if he would provide Daniel and his friends a little time so that they could have a chance at getting the dream and interpreting it for Nebuchadnezzar. The king gave Daniel some time to have the dream and to give the interpretation thereof.

Daniel went to his house and talked to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (also known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego), explaining to them what was going on. They all joined in prayer to the God of Israel.

That night, while Daniel was sleeping, he received a night vision. This was the same vision that Nebuchadnezzar received. With the dream came the interpretation thereof. He and his brethren rejoiced and praised God and gave thanks unto Him.

Then Daniel went in unto the king’s court and was allowed by the king to present the interpretation of the dream. The king asked if he had actually received the dream that the king had received. Daniel took this as a teaching moment, and said that what the king required from the wise men, such as the astrologers, magicians and soothsayers was beyond their capability because they were not inspired of the Lord.

Daniel explained that things such as this, only the Lord God of Israel could understand and could provide the answers the king sought. He went on to rehearse the dream.

Starting with Daniel 2:31 he rehearsed the dream that the king had received in detail. “Thou, O King, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was all fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of Clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay and break them to pieces. Then were the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

Then Daniel proceeded to give the king the interpretation of the dream. He told Nebuchadnezzar that he and his kingdom represented the head of gold. And after his kingdom was destroyed there would be another kingdom that was inferior to his kingdom which would also be destroyed. That kingdom was represented by silver. After that kingdom was destroyed there would be a third kingdom of brass that would also rule over all the earth. Then comes the fourth kingdom which would be as strong as iron.

The next kingdom represented the toes of iron and clay. Some of these smaller kingdoms would be strong like iron and others would be weak like clay. The stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands would crush all of these kingdoms and destroy them.

When Daniel was finished with the dream and the interpretation of the dream “King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshiped Daniel and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him.”

The king went on to say “of the truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and the Lord of Kings, and the revealer of secrets, saying thou couldest reveal the secret.”

As a result of his accurate recitation of the dream and the interpretation of the dream “the king made Daniel a great man and gave many gifts and made him a ruler over the province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.”

Daniel asked the king if Shadrach. Meshach and Abed-nego could preside over the affair’s of the province of Babylon and let Daniel remain in the king’s court, sitting in the gate of the king.

ANALYSIS

At first glance, this story shows that King Nebuchadnezzar first turned to astrologists, magicians and soothsayers for the interpretation of his dream and to also receive the same dream that he had received. The king turned to worldly men for help.

When Daniel was put to the task, he turned to righteous friends and to God for help. This shows us where we should turn when we need help.

We know that Daniel was motivated by a righteous cause because when Daniel returned to the king’s court to provide the answer, he said to Arioch (who was tasked with the destruction of the wise men) “destroy not the wise men of Babylon,” which showed that Daniel cared for all men, even the wicked men of the king’s court. Then Daniel asked Arioch to bring him before the king.

The stone cut out of the mountain without hands rolled down the mountain, destroying all the various kingdoms in its path, including the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and the other kingdoms of men that were mentioned in the dream.

The stone represents the kingdom of God on earth. The fact that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands means that the kingdom is created from God, not men. Because the stone or kingdom is the Kingdom of God on earth it will endure forever and not be destroyed like all man made kingdoms eventually do.

Among the many lessons we can learn from this wonderful story is that we should trust in The Lord and associate ourselves with His kingdom while we live on here on earth.

“Set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” As we choose to stand with The Lord, we will find ourselves in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. If we should fall of that path then we can regain our footing through repentance that The Lord taught us in the scriptures.

Only the kingdom created by God has the power to last until the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “The stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” The safest place we can find ourselves in, is in the company of The Lord.

Troy Wagstaff

Source: Daniel 2, (Holy Bible, KJV)

 

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Irish Sayings, Quotes, Blessings, Toasts

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

Irish Sayings, Quotes, Blessings, Toasts

irish_callahan_writer

Irish Quotes

irish_toast_walls_windMay the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside,
Light on the inside.
With God’s sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.

☘

May you always have…
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.

☘

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

☘
claddagh_symbolism_ring1May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of you wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.

☘

irish_blessing_dreamsMay the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.

☘

May God give you…
For every storm a rainbow,
for every tear a smile,
for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,
for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

☘

May your joys be as bright as the morning,
And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade,
In the sunlight of love.
May you have enough
happiness to keep you sweet.
Enough trials to keep you strong.
Enough sorrows to keep you human.
Enough hope to keep you happy.
Enough failure to keep you humble.
Enough success to keep you eager.
Enough friends to give you comfort.
Enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness.
Enough wealth to meet your needs.
And one thing more: enough  determination to make each day a more wonderful day than the day before.

☘


IRISH HOUSE BLESSINGS

 irish_toast_sunbeam_sunsetGod Bless the Corners of this House
and be the Lintel Blessed
And Bless the Hearth
And Bless the Board
And Bless Each Place of Rest
Bless Each Door That Opens Wide To Strangers and to Kin
And Bless Each Crystal Windowpane
that lets the Sunshine In
And Bless the Rooftree Overhead
And Every Sturdy Wall
The Peace of Man
The Peace of God
The Peace of Love to All

☘

Bless this house, O Lord, we pray.
Make it safe by night and day.
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out.
Bless the roof and chimney tall,
Let thy peace lie over all.
Bless the doors that they may prove
Ever open to joy and love.
Bless the windows shining bright,
Letting in God’s heavenly light.
Bless the hearth a-blazing there,
With smoke ascending like a prayer.
Bless the people here within…
Keep them pure and free from sin.
Bless us all, that one day, we
May be fit, O lord, to dwell with Thee.

☘

irish_christmas_meme3Bless you and yours as well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched.
And those inside be well matched.

☘

Bless this house and those within
Bless our giving and receiving
Bless our words and conversation
Bless our hands and recreation
Bless our sowing and our growing
Bless our coming and our going
Bless all who enter and depart
Bless this house, your peace impart

☘

“Bless the four corners of this house
and be the lintel blest,
and bless the hearth,
and bless the board,
and bless each place of rest….”

☘

irish_blessing_rainbow1May flowers always line your path in sunshine like your day. May Songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that’s always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

☘

IRISH TOASTS

Health and long life to you.
Land without rent to you.
a child every year to you.
If you can’t go to heaven.
May you die in Ireland

☘

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

☘

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joy that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

☘

Irish Christmas Quotes or Wishes

irish_christmas1

 

Irish Christmas Wishes or Quotes

irish_christmas3_leprechauns_elves

 

Whenever there is happiness,
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles,
Hope they smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine I hope it shines on you,
Especially for you to make each day for you as bright as it can be.irish_quote_happiness

☘

IRISH BLESSINGS FOR NEWBORNS

May all the blessing of our Lord touch your life today.
May He send His little angels to protect you on your way.
Such a wee little fit, sent from above.
Someone so precious to cherish and love.
May sunshine and moonbeams dance over you head
As you quietly slumber in your bed.
May good luck be with you wherever you go.
And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

☘

irish_christmas2May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings
beside your nursery door.
And for the proud parents:
May God grant you a wee bit of Heaven.

☘

A newborn babe
brings light to the house
warmth to the hearth
and joy to the soul
for wealth is family,
family is wealth.

☘

Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will lend thee,
All through the night
Soft and drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
Mother dear her watch is keeping,
All through the night
God is here, you’ll not be lonely,
All through the night
‘Tis not I who guards thee only,All through the night
Night’s dark shades will soon be over,
Still my watchful care shall hover,
God with me His watch is keeping,
All through the night.

IRISH BLESSINGS FOR A CHRISTENING

Dearest Father in Heaven,
Bless this child and bless this day
Of new beginnings.
Smile upon this child
And surround this child, Lord,
With the soft mantle of your love.
Teach this child to follow in your footsteps,
And to live life in the ways of
Love, faith, hope and charity.

☘

keep_calm

 Keep calm and love the Irish

☘

ABOUT IRELAND　

Sure a little bit of Heaven fell from out the sky one day
and it nestled in the ocean in a place so far away
and when the angels found it sure it looked so sweet
and fair they said suppose we leave it for it looks so peaceful there.

☘

When God Created the Irish…He didn’t do another thing but sit down and smile

☘

Ireland…where the wind has a sound like a sweet sound,
and anyone can hum it, and the heather grows on the hills,
and shamrocks not far from it.

☘

Ireland, it’s the one place on earth
That heaven has kissed
With melody, mirth,
And meadow and mist.

☘

We are the sons and daughters of Ireland, proud heirs of an ancient legacy. We’ve settled every corner of the globe, driven from our homeland by famine and oppression, or simply by the restless spirit that’s our birthright. Wherever we go, we bring with us a love of freedom, a melancholy humor, a biting wit, and a golden tongue. But regardless of where destiny may take us, we’re linked to the land of our ancestors by an ethereal thread that binds the hearts and reminds us always that we are a unique people. We are the Irish.

☘

IRISH CELTIC PRAYERS

I lay my head to rest and in doing so I lay at your feet
the faces I have seen, the voices I have heard
the words I have spoken, the hands I have shaken
the service I have given, the joys I have shared
the sorrows revealed, I lay them at your feet
and in doing so, lay my head to rest.

☘

Through the dark hours of this night
protect and surround us
Father, Son and Spirit, Three
Forgive the ill that we have done
Forgive the pride that we have shown
Forgive the words that have caused harm
that we might sleep peaceably
and rise refreshed to do your will.

☘

This night and every night grant to me light
This night and every night grant to me peace
This night and every night grant to me rest
This night and every night grant to me grace
This night and every night grant to me joy.

☘

Irish Proverbs

There are two telling’s to every story.

☘

There’s nothing so bad that it couldn’t be worse.

☘

Three things are of Satan
An evil eye;  An evil tongue;  An evil mind.
Three things are of God
The merciful word,  The singing word,  And the good word.

☘

IRISH BLESSINGS

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they’ll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you to make each day
for you as bright as it can be.

☘

IRISH QUOTES

Your lives are very special,
God has touched you in many ways.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.

☘

Faith to uphold you,
love to enfold you,
Smiles on yours faces,
goodness and graces,
for all those blessings we pray.

☘

IRISH BLESSINGS

May there be lucky stars above you
Sunshine on your way
Many friends to love you
Joy in work and play.

☘

May you have laughter to outweigh each care
In your heart a song
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life.

☘

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you “ll be there too
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they smile on you
Whenever there is sunshine
Hope it shines especially for you
To make each day for you as bright as it can be.

☘

leprechains_made_me_do_it

IRISH HUMOR 

The Leprechauns made me do it.

☘

I-rish you a very nice place to live,
I-rish God’s greatest gifts he’ll give.
I-rish you health, and wealth, and more–
I-rish your smilin’ face were at my door!

☘

All Mothers have Intuition, Irish Mothers have radar.

☘
Drink is the curse of the land.
It makes you fight with your neighbour.
It makes you shoot at your landlord– and it makes you miss him.

☘

If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at who He gives it to!

☘

There are only three kinds of Irish men who can’t understand women— young men, old men, and men of middle age.

☘

An Irishman has an abiding sense of tragedy which sustains him through temporary periods of joy.

☘

luck_of_irish_b_with_u

　

Wherever you go and whatever you do
may the luck of the Irish be there with you.

　

　

Irish Toasts

May your joys be as bright as the morning,
And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade.

☘

May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.

☘

May the sunbeam from the sunset warm your soul,
until the sunbeams from the sunrise gladden you heart in the morn. (Callahan)

☘　

Irish Sayings

May the God of peace
Bring peace to this house
May the Son of peace
Bring peace to this house
May the Spirit of peace
Bring peace to this house
This night and all nights.

☘　

May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!

☘

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the soft skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May True be the hearts the love you.

☘

May your joys be as bright as the morning,
And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade,
In the sunlight of love.
May you have enough
happiness to keep you sweet.
Enough trials to keep you strong.
Enough sorrows to keep you human.
Enough hope to keep you happy.
Enough failure to keep you humble.
Enough success to keep you eager.
Enough friends to give you comfort.
Enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness.
Enough wealth to meet your needs.
And one thing more: enough
determination to make each day a more wonderful day
than the day before.

☘

irish_christmas_prayer1　

An Irish Christmas Prayer
The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of the home and hearth to you
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you
The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.

 

 

 

An Old Irish Curse
May those that love us love us; and those that don’t love us, may God turn their hearts; if he can’t turn their hearts, may turn their ankles, so we’ll know them by their limping.

IRISH BLESSINGS

A family of Irish birth will argue and fight, but let a shout come from without,
and see them all unite.

A wish for a friend: wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after showers — miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden happy hours — shamrocks at your doorway for Luck and laughter too, and a host of friends that never ends each day your whole life through!

Always remember to forget the things that make you sad
But never forget to remember the things that make you glad.

Dear Lord,
Give me a few friends
who will love me for what I am,
and keep ever burning
before my vagrant steps
the kindly light of hope…
And though I come not within sight
of the castle of my dreams,
teach me to be thankful for life,
and for time’s olden memories
that are good and sweet.
And may the evening’s twilight
find me gentle still.

Deep peace of the running waves to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you.
Deep peace of the son of Peace to you.

Each petal on the Shamrock brings an Irish wish your way. Good Health, Good Luck and Happiness each and every day.

Faith to uphold you,
love to enfold you,
Smiles on yours faces,
goodness and graces,
for all those blessings we pray.

Health and long life to you.
Land without rent to you. a child every year to you.
If you can’t go to heaven.
May you die in Ireland

I am not stubborn! Said every Irish women ever.

If you have family that loves you,
A few good friends,
Food on your table and a roof over your head.
You are richer than you think.

Ireland…where the wind has a sound like a sweet sound,
and anyone can hum it, and the heather grows on the hills,
and shamrocks not far from it.

Irish Friendship Toast
May the land of a friend always be near you,
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May God give you…
For every storm a rainbow,
for every tear a smile,
for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,
for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

May God grant you always…A sunbeam to warm you, A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you,
Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few.
And heaven is overflowing.

May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and may trouble be always a stranger to you.

May joy and peace surround you,
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now
and bless you evermore!

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam? May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
May neighbours respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

May strong arms hold you,
caring hearts tend you,
and may love await you at every step

May the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside,
Light on the inside.
With God’s sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.

May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.

May the good saints protect you,
And bless you today.
And may troubles ignore you,
Each step of the way.

May the leprechauns dance over your bed and bring you sweet dreams.

May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in the window,
Welcoming the weary traveler.

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

May the peace of God reign in this place
and the love of God forever hold you tight
May the Spirit of God flow through your life
and the joy of God uphold you day and night

May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!

May the sunbeam from the sunset warm your soul,
until the sunbeams from the sunrise gladden you heart in the morn. (Callahan)

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

May there be lucky stars above you
Sunshine on your way
Many friends to love you
Joy in work and play

May you always have
A sunbeam to warm you
Good luck to charm you
And a sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you
Laughter to cheer you
Faithful friends near you
And whenever you pray
Heaven to hear you.

May you always have…
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.

May you enjoy the four greatest blessings:
Honest work to occupy you.
A hearty appetite to sustain you.
A good woman to love you.
And a wink from the God above.

May you have: A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,and Irish blessings in your heart!

May you have laughter to outweigh each care
In your heart a song
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life through.

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

May you have no frost on your Spuds,
No worms on your cabbage.
May your goat give plenty of milk.
If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.

May you have no frost on your Spuds,
No worms on your cabbage.
May your goat give plenty of milk.
If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the
foresight to know where you’re going, and the insight to know
when you’re going too far
May you walk in sunshine,
May you never want for more,
May Irish angels rest there wings
Right beside your door.

May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.

May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of you wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.

May you live to be a hundred years, With one extra year to repent!
May the leprechauns dance over your bed and bring you sweet dreams.

May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
brightened by a song in your heart,
and warmed by the smiles
of the people you love.

May your days be many and your troubles be few. May all God’s blessings descend upon you. May peace be with you, may your heart be strong. May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.

May your heart be warm and happy,
with a lilt of Irish laughter,
Every day in every way,
forever and ever after.

May your joys be as bright as the morning,
And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade.

May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long.”May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you…

My day may be hectic. My schedule may be tight. But I would never let the day end without saying good night. Sweet dreams..

No man ever wore a scarf as warm as his daughter’s arm around his neck.

St. Brigid’s Blessing: May Brigid bless the house where in you dwell.
Bless every fireside every wall and door.
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof.
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy.
Bless every foot that walks its portals through.
May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.”

Sure a little bit of Heaven fell from out the sky one day and it nestled in the ocean in a place so far away and when the angels found it sure it looked so sweet and fair they said suppose we leave it for it looks so peaceful there.
The Irish heart is warm and wide a place where love and peace abide. – Claddagh

There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.

There are two tellings to every story.

There’s nothing so bad that it couldn’t be worse.

This night and every night grant to me light
This night and every night grant to me peace
This night and every night grant to me rest
This night and every night grant to me grace
This night and every night grant to me joy.

Through the dark hours of this night
protect and surround us
Father, Son and Spirit, Three
Forgive the ill that we have done
Forgive the pride that we have shown
Forgive the words that have caused harm
that we might sleep peaceably
and rise refreshed to do your will
Through the dark hours of this night
protect and surround us
Father, Son and Spirit, Three

When God Created the Irish…He didn’t do another thing but sit down and smile.

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you “ll be there too
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they smile on you
Whenever there is sunshine
Hope it shines especially for you
To make each day for you as bright as it can be

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

You may be lucky enough to catch me, but you’ll never tame me. Said every Irish girl ever.

Your lives are very special,
God has touched you in many ways.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.

　

　

　

　

　

 

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A River Of Life

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Troy Wagstaff

A River Of Life

Whithersoever The River Shall Come

Throughout the Holy Scriptures water is symbolic. The symbolism of water depends on the parable and how it is used. Water can be symbolic for healing, life, blood, cleaning, Word of God or the gospel. In this instance the symbolism of water deals primarily with the symbolism of life and healing. This imagery comes from Ezekiel 47.

In Ezekiel 43-47 an Angel is showing Ezekiel the plans for a temple or sanctuary for the Lord. The exciting part of this story culminates in chapter 47 where there is a building and from the building issues forth a River. The river measures about one thousand cubits and it flows through the wilderness or desert and then into the Dead Sea healing everything it touches.

The width of the river measures one thousand cubits wide. According to the Hebrews a cubit is a measurement from the tip of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Throughout the history of the ancient Hebrews a cubit could be 17.5 inches or 21.5 inches in length. If we were to consider a cubit to be 17 ½ inches, then one thousand cubits equal 486.1 yards. That means that the width of the river would be four football field lengths plus 86 yards. If we were to use the 21 ½ inch cubits then the width of the river would be 597.2 yards, or essentially the length of six football fields.

Mathematically we can say that the river that flowed from the sacred building through the desert to the Dead Sea was five to six football fields wide. We don’t know how long the river was and it doesn’t matter. What really matter is what the river symbolizes and how that applies to our lives.

river_of_lifeI believe to get the full measure of what the Bible has to teach us we need to liken each verse to ourselves and to our everyday life. Insert your name when applicable into verses and passages of Scripture so that it looks like it was referring to you. Apply the lessons of those passages to your daily life.

Symbolism
To apply the passage of Scripture found in Ezekiel 47 we need to understand the symbolism of the building, the wilderness, the Dead Sea and the river of water that comes from the building as it goes through the wilderness and into the Dead Sea.

The building, is the source of the river of water. The sanctuary could represent the Scriptures, the gospel of Jesus Christ, a temple or prophet etc.

The wilderness or the desert represents our lives and the lives of those around us. The Dead Sea is also symbolic of our lives before the healing gospel message is internalized by us.

In the Scriptures, the water issues forth from the temple going through the wilderness and into the Dead Sea. The angel takes Ezekiel to the river and he walks across the river and it goes up to his ankles. A second time Ezekiel crosses the river and it goes up to his knees. A third time Ezekiel crosses the river and it goes up to his waist. The last time Ezekiel goes to the river, the river is so deep that Ezekiel cannot cross the river unless he swims.

Let’s read a few verses from Ezekiel 47, starting with verse seven “Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, these waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the (dead) sea: which being brought forth into the (dead) sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass that everything that liveth, which move with, whithersoever the river shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and everything shall live whether the river cometh… And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”

When you apply water to soil, you can go from a barren ground to a fertile land teaming with all types of plant life. From the plant life comes animal life.

Ezekiel goes back to the bank of this very wide river and sees on both banks of the river a multitude of trees and vegetation. He notices fish living in the healed waters. He notes that these trees have fruit for eating and leaves for medicine. Everything needed to sustain life.

The “river of life” mentioned in this biblical metaphor creates life-sustaining substance from something that is barren.

Compare this to our life. Our lives are spiritually barren until the river of life flows through the barren spirit of our life. If we let the river of the gospel flow through our lives at ankle depth then great things can happen to a barren soul.

If we let the river of life flow through our soul at knee depth, we are blessed even more. The spiritual sides of our lives are transformed. Out of darkness our spirits are filled with the bright light of the gospel. If we let the river of life flow through us up to our waste, as it were, we notice even greater spiritual life welling up within us.

As the river of life that flows through us gets so deep we have to swim then we notice that God is making more of us than we can ever make of ourselves. All we ever had to do was open the floodgate and let the water in.

If we find ourselves swimming in the healing river of the gospel of Jesus Christ, completely submerged in these life-giving waters, we can find ourselves made whole in many different ways. If we have sinned, we can open the floodgate through repentance and be made whole again. If we are suffering trouble through no fault of our own, we can open the floodgate to the healing waters of Jesus Christ. If we need strength for the trials’ we face, we can open the floodgate of the river of life to give us strength for the burdens we face. For all of these blessings, all we have to do is open the floodgate and let the waters flow freely through our life.

Think how wonderful this is, that we can be healed by the rivers of life. Consider another point, not only can we be healed, we can become fruitful with all kinds of trees, vegetation and fish growing and developing within us. This is symbolic of our growing spirituality to becoming a source of spiritual strength and nourishment to others.

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