ISIS has ramped up its activity against “infidels” and encouraged other Islamic extremists to do the same during Ramadan. Both of my most recently articles for WORLD had to do with this. Continue reading
Israel
DVD Giveaway: Patterns of Evidence, Exodus
A few months ago I heard about this movie, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus, a documentary film examining the Biblical story of Exodus and looking for evidence in history and archaeology. I was lucky enough to be able to see it during the one night engagement at a nearby movie theater. (Keep reading for contest info)
Continue reading
Jesus, Our Passover Lamb
Jewish people everywhere will be celebrating Passover beginning this evening and ending the evening of April 2. Of course the Feast of Passover marks God’s protection of the Israelite people from the angel of death that struck down the firstborn of the Egyptians in Exodus 12. Continue reading
Songs of Christmas – Day 9
Today’s carol is O Come, O come Emmanuel. It is a translation of an Ecclesiastical Latin text, that is of uncertain origin. My research says it is based on Isaiah 7:14. It is a beautiful song about the coming Messiah and how he would free us from sin, death and hell. Continue reading
Celebrating the Songs of Christmas – Day 1
I sincerely hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving and are anticipating the celebration of Jesus’ birth as I am. In order to get myself back in the habit of blogging and to rejoice over the coming of Christmas, I’ve decided to post the words to a song (mostly carols) each day from now through Christmas.
The First Noel is a traditional English carol. According to the Hymns and Carols of Christmas website it can have as many as 9 verses, although some versions list fewer. Listening to the song a couple of things stick out. First, that it continually calls Jesus the King of Israel. We Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah that the Jewish people had been promised. His birth in Bethlehem (written about in Luke 2), fulfills the Micah 5:2 prophecy that one would go forth from Bethlehem to be ruler in Israel. Second, that “The First Noel” was to the shepherds, reminds me that God views the significance of people far differently that we humans do. Later kings, would come and worship the baby Jesus as well, but God sent angels to tell the shepherds about the birth of Jesus.
The First Noel
The first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields, where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star, shining in the East beyond them far. And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far. To seek for a King was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel!
The star drew nigh to the northwest, o’er Bethlehem it took its rest. And there it did both pause and stay, right o’er the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee. And offered there in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord, sing praises to our heavenly Lord. That hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood mankind has bought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
In the Word: John 10 – Exclusivity of Jesus’ Claims and His Deity
My journey through the book of John continues and chapter 10 has multiple examples of Jesus proclaiming that he is the Messiah. Beginning with the parable of the sheepfold: Continue reading
