AWAY IN A MANGER

                   (Rev. Walbear's parents with their first store at Balcolm's Corners, NY circa 1930's)

                                                              

                                                              AWAY IN A MANGER

     NO! This is not another Christmas story! This is a New Year's message, and you'll have to wait later on in the story to discover the connection about the manger. So...Have patience.

   

  Many New Year's celebrations have always been boisterous, loud, and merry. That's true the world over. Costumes such as those in China are magnificent, and most countries and cultures observe meaningful

celebrations. In many instances, the holiday has serious religious implications.

   The celebrations in most rural communities during the 1930s and early 1940s were rather muted. This was the era of the Great Depression and World War II. For many families the new year was a time to be

thankful they made it this far in tough times. In the 40s, people were concerned about the war. The early years of the war didn't go well for the Allies, and husbands and sons were away, serving their country.

   

  My family operated a general store that was a sort of hub for a rural, mostly farming community. This was the day before the supermarket and big box stores. The general store was the place most people purchased

everything except for rare specialties. Besides a full line of groceries, you could buy shoes, clothing, household goods, hardware, tires, auto parts, gas and oil, and many other items. Except, during the war years, almost everything was rationed.

    Certain items such as sugar, tires and gasoline were of short supply because of the war effort. The need of butter for our troops spawned the development of oleo for us back home. We were limited to two pair of

shoes per year, and some things like silk hose were not available. Gas was in short supply, so there wasn't much travel. It was needed for emergency vehicles and farms.

    A mild type of black market sprang up, but it was nothing like black markets of later years. There was a control on ALL prices, so there was no price gouging, even in black market items. People really cared for each other, and families helped families. This was especially true where one or more family member was away in military service. I have not seen such an attitude since the 1950s.

     So, what does this have to do with New Years? It explains to us that there is more to the observance than partying and getting soused. Things were very serious and somber during this time. Hope and opportunity brought to us by the holiday made us more aware of our shortcomings and the need to retool our lives. This could be survival.

   

  While there was still a holiday mood, an emphasis was placed on new resolutions. What bad habits we needed to try and eliminate, and what we could do improve ourselves. My parents, like most of the local people, observed the holiday with a few friends and a special meal. My Dad always "shot" the old year out and the new year in by firing a round or two with his shotgun. That had long been a tradition.

    Near the end of the war, we moved to a dairy farm. I had not yet reached by teen years, so I viewed stories I was told as possibilities, but not necessarily accurate. This is when I heard the manger story. My Dad had been raised on a farm, and he told me tradition had it that the animals in the barn would talk at midnight on New Year's Eve. Why not check it out?

    

We went to the barn an hour or so before midnight. Although it was a cold night, the weather was clear. I had often "propped" myself right behind the front leg of a cow to get warmth from her body heat. This

night the barn was comfortable. I didn't really believe the animals could talk to me, but I still waited in anticipation. Our animals were people friendly, and they were contentedly eating hay, chewing their cud or

taking a nap. No sign of talk.

   

  Then Dad pointed out that the animals were not talking in English or any people language. They were speaking their approval and enjoyment of their feed, comfort, and home. It was talk, all right, but in their own

language. They were happy, and so was I. Later in life, I sometimes continued to fire off a round at midnight, but my wife and I always preferred to be with the animals. They munched at their hay--in mangers, of course-- and that reminded us of our Savior. The manger with fresh hay made a very comfortable and nice bed.

  

  Giving it a bit more thought in the relative quiet of the barn, I realized how perfectly God had lined up the series of holidays to remind us of His teaching. In late October we observe Halloween, a time for the things

we need to avoid--witches, goblins, the devil, etc. Then, in November, we have Thanksgiving. This is the time to appreciate the food and creature blessings He has bestowed upon us.

  

  Following Thanksgiving is Christmas, the observance of God's great gift to mankind, Jesus, our Savior. New Year's Day provides us with the Hope and Opportunity that we can erase the bad things in our life and move ahead for blessings in the future. As salvation gives us a new birth, we have the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us to overcome bad spots in the pathway of life. We experience the Trinity in these three special days following a warning. What a perfect plan, and most of us probably never understood the whole story of the special days.

 Happy blessed New Year, folks!

Rev. Walbear

Christmas at Arkwright

                                            Christmas at Arkwright

    Thanksgiving and Christmas have always turned my thoughts to the warmth and joy of family and scenes such as "Over the River and Through the Woods to  Grandmother's House We Go." Few of us make trips like that now, but the cozy thoughts and excitement still are associated with the poem. I associate that
poem with a Christmas experience I had over 70 years ago when some families took a sleigh to grandma's house. We didn't take a sleigh to the Christmas gathering. The snow was so deep and side roads not plowed out yet, so we traveled by car with chains on the rear tires as far as the main road was cleared.

    Then we turned onto a gravel side road where the plow had been able to clear a distance of about 100 yards. From there it was almost two miles to my aunt's house and farm. It was also the end of that road that became a field road from that point on.

    There was a small farm where the plow had managed to open the road, and we left our cars there and went inside the warm house where that family welcomed us to get warm. They had a large wood stove, and the entire house was cheerful and Christmasy. Did I mention we had about two feet of snow and the temperature was in the single digits?

    This was a typical winter occurrence for the area in western New York labeled the Grape Belt in the summer and the Snow Belt in the winter. While the land along Lake Erie produced wonderful grape, fruit and vegetable crops, the range of hills behind this fertile area served as the collector of moisture from the lake as the wind carried the clouds directly over the hills in the form of snow. The westerly wind then built huge drifts.

    My aunt's farm was really located in what a townie would describe as the "sticks." This was rural western New York, and a great place to raise a family as long as you didn't mind the harsh winters. The side road to my aunt's home was at an intersection known as Arkwright. It wasn't even a village, but was known for a huge building fondly named the Chicken Tavern. If you mentioned either name, people knew exactly what you were talking about.

    So far, this part of our journey was the easy part. We had arrived at this location without dreaded broken links on the chains. Remember, these were the days before four wheel drive and winter tires. When links on the chains broke, they would hit the undersides of the fenders and create a great deal of noise. You would usually have to stop and try to repair the breakage wherever you happened to be under whatever weather conditions. To plow the heavily drifted roads, highway departments had developed rotary plows that were the ancestors of today's snow blowers. They were huge machines and fascinating for us to watch.

     Now we had to trek the nearly two miles up the drifted road to my aunt's house. This was on foot. There were no tracks, just the ribbon of white through the trees and curving slightly uphill. With no snow, this wouldn't have been a difficult trip for a couple of five-- year olds. There were four adults and the two of us. We kids could not have gone 10 yards up that road without someone "breaking trail" because the snow was generally chest deep for us. So, the four adults broke trail, with the men going first, the women following, and us bringing up a very exhausted rear. We had to stop and rest often, because we all got pretty played out.

    You'd think we should have called the whole gathering off due to the terrible conditions. In those days, country people were hardy folks, and they were used to handing tough situations. This had been planned for quite a while, and we weren't about to be disappointed. While my cousin and her parents lived in a small town, they weren't what we call townies today. Small town life in that area was almost the same as living in the country.

    After what seemed like a week wading through that snow uphill, we at last saw the second story of the farm house and roof. The snow had drifted so deep up this high on  the hill that it actually reached the second floor of the house on the west and north sides. This is what it must feel like when you are traveling across the
desert and find an oasis.

    This was a big farm house, and few homes had central heat or furnaces in those days. They had a large kitchen and what normally served as a dining room, but was the living room in the winter. The regular living room was closed off for the winter, except for this Christmas gathering. It was opened up, and the large Christmas tree was right where the two rooms were usually joined together by double doors. There was no heat upstairs, so you had to snuggle in under featherticks. They were unbelievably warm, and the forerunner of sleeping bags.

    There was a wood stove for cooking and a kerosene stove to heat the other two rooms. These three rooms were very comfortable. Although most people along the main roads and well-traveled side roads had electricity, there was no electricity on this road. The lights were actually kerosene lamps you may have seen in old movies. They worked pretty well. This really was the only improvement most people had that was missing here. They had no telephone, but many country people had yet to get "wired." Bathrooms, especially on farms, were yet to become reality, but most towns and villages had them. "Outhouses" still were common.

    This house had an "inhouse" outhouse. That is to say, the toilet was a room inside a woodshed attached to the house. They had intended to put a floor in the woodshed, but only got as far as placing the support beams. On these, they placed a series of planks to the inhouse. If you needed to use the facility, you didn't waste any time because it was really COLD.

    We had a great Christmas dinner  and then it was time for the opening of gifts under the tree. There were lots of gifts for children and adults alike. This was really a special time, because we were still coming out of the Great Depression. Rural folks had a rough time then, and gifts were rare except for Christmas and birthdays. We always ate well, because much of what we needed came from our land and animals.

    In the excitement of opening the gifts and holiday atmosphere, I don't believe any of us gave any thought of the difficult journey to be there. In a small way, it was sort of like the feeling those gathered in Bethlehem a couple of thousand years ago must have had. It had been a hard journey for a mother-to-be to get to Bethlehem, with no reservation at the Ritz or Holiday Inn. But the final chapter was beyond glory with the birth of our Savior. 

    Friends, always remember God is in control of everything. He did not make life on earth easy for His son.  If your road is difficult, you can make the trip as long as you follow His directions. Christ gave us the Spirit of Christmas, which was love, peace and compassion. He repeated the warnings of the Old Testament
about material  desires which lead us to believe we can prepare for a "rainy" day. 

    I recall so many "teaching" stories which give us a good feeling, but actually are entirely misleading and cause us to make serious judgment decisions. One that is appropriate for the Christmas season is the story of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant is a hard worker and prepares for winter while the grasshopper does not prepare for winter, and dies when cold weather comes. Contrary to this teaching, the grasshopper is not lazy and is not to prepare for winter. God created him for a purpose, and he fulfills that purpose during
his lifespan in the warm weather. God is in control, and both species fulfill their purpose.

    When we use the ant and grasshopper as an example to separate people through material possessions or occupations, we are falling into a trap designed to make us feel superior to others. It is not a Christian story and leads us away from compassion. We need to understand John, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved". This is total compassion because no limits were placed on who you were or what you did or didn't do, EXCEPT you must accept Christ as your Savior. We must share Christ's compassion for our fellow men/women whether they are rich or poor, pretty or not, workers or not, healthy or not, and same race or not. We are all sinners. If you really want to understand the Christmas story, carefully read the Four Gospels, taking notes not about Christ's birth, but about what He taught. He is the message of Christmas.

    As a final word, I want to thank all of you who prayed for my recovery and health. I had a very uplifting learning experience that I could not have received any other way. I have been blessed by this experience and gained much knowledge and understanding that could come no other way. I also was privileged to observe and recall the fruit of some of my previous work. Just never forget that God is always in control of everything. No matter how bad anything appears to be, it is according to His will. If you accept Christ, you will have a purpose, and that purpose will be Christ-like, not a self-centered goal. I wish you a merry Christ-
centered Christmas.

Rev. Walbear

          Project Eden Prattsburgh Cattle Drive

We'd like to share a special project with you all. It impacts our family directly and those of fellow veterans. My father is the hospitalized veteran. Some of you know his physical struggles this past year. Despite that, he has still contributed sermons to this site and on facebook under God's direction. Daniel's story of how Project Eden got started is a heart wrenching one of loss and a new beginning for both him and other suffering veterans.

The purpose of Project Eden is to rehab and train PTSS vets on an organic farm, using a very rare herd of exotic miniature cattle. There is a timely need to purchase these cattle, to save a hospitalized veteran from losing his farm to tax sale. This gives the veterans therapy and new self sustaining skills for their new lives. Much of these homesteading skills are almost a lost art themselves and this is a rare opportunity to blend the needed with therapy.

         Project Eden Prattsburgh Cattle Drive

From battle fields to farm fields you can support America's finest by pitching in on Project Eden Prattsburgh's Cattle Drive!

Providing Futures

          My name is Daniel Hoaglin SSG/USA/RET, co-founder of Project Eden Prattsburgh, a branch of Johnny’s New Hope Inc.  I served just shy of 11 years in the US Army when I was wounded in Iraq in 2004, and subsequently medically retired.  I went several months unable to get work, and not receiving my compensation from the Veterans Administration.  Due to this “high level of care” I lost my home, my family’s belongings, and my self-esteem.  After going through several treatment facilities with very little improvement in my condition; my family and I turned to farming to help provide a future for ourselves.

          Project Eden Prattsburgh is located on a family farm set in the tranquil hills surrounding the Finger Lakes in upstate NY.  With the help of Johnny’s New Hope Inc., and Berkana Hill Farm we are making a community centered in agriculture and support for America’s warriors.

          With suicide rates among Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans peeking to 22 per day I needed to make a change.

          We looked for the perfect animals to place on our farm for the production of milk and meat for our veterans; however we were coming up short for most dual purpose cattle are large, unyielding. 

          THEN WE FOUND THEM!  A complete breading herd of miniature White Dexter, and Irish Jersey cattle.  Known for their high quality milk and great feed conversion these hand raised cows are a perfect fit for our cattle requirements to raise, and feed our veteran community.  What makes them so perfect is their docility, and size.  With our veterans coming home with multiple injuries, and difficulties it is important to have an animal that can be handled easily. 

          THAT’S NOT ALL!  We found this herd by fate.  “How’s that?” you ask.  The herd is local to our region and is currently being raised by a veteran and his wife.  They have also fell into huge medical expenses and are about the loose their family farm to taxes.  The purchase of their herd will catch them up so they don’t lose the roof over their head. 

          I knew I needed to help, but I never realized how much I could actually help!  Now not only can your donations help our generation’s veterans, but it also helps the generations before us, and for generations to come by saving another of America’s hero’s family farm.

         These cows are one of the last surviving herds of miniature White Dexter cows in existence.  This herd holds great confirmation and excellent proportion. With our ability to breed these animals and carefully select our stock we can bring them back toward their early glory.

          We need to raise $20,000 by August 10, 2013 to ensure to continuation of this exquisite breed of animal!  With your help, Project Eden Prattsburgh, and Johnny’s New Hope Inc., we can not only save a herd of cows, but we can answer the prayers of the family selling them.  They pray the cows would sell to people whom will honor their work in breeding for perfection, and we can answer that prayer, but only with your help!

          100% of all donations to Johnny’s New Hope Inc., Project Eden Prattsburgh, and Project Eden Prattsburgh Cattle drive, go to the betterment of the lives of combat veterans!  We have no administrative costs, and we feel when you as a donator give to veterans, then every cent you donate should be used to help veterans in need.

          With your generous donation we can help raise money to purchase this lovely herd of cattle, and should these donations supersede our intended amount needed all other monies collected will go directly into combat veteran housing.

          Please if you cannot make a monetary donation don’t think that you can’t help us accomplish our goal.  Make some noise about this campaign, spread the word to your friends and family, or cry out in the streets if you must!  Or if that’s too much then you can check us out atwww.johnnysnewhope.org, and friend Project Eden Prattsburgh on facebook to keep up with our ever changing community.

          Don’t just claim to be a patriot, show your patriotism and give to an organization who actually gives back to veterans! 

TO DONATE-- http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/project-eden-prattsburgh-cattle-drive   This charity is a registered non-profit.

  PROJECT EDEN PRATTSBURG

  Daniel J. Hoaglin SSG Ret
    American Legion Commander

    607-281-4581

    danh@johnnysnewhop.org

    PO Box 112, 6387 Butts Rd.
    Prattsburg, NY 14873

Happy Independence Day!

                                                HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

As we celebrate our nation's Independence, let us also take a moment to remember what Christ's sacrifice gave us as Christians as well. Freedom is never free.

The Christian's Declaration Of Independence

I am free from failure for "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." Phil. 4:13

I am free from want for "my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ
 Jesus." Phil. 4:19

I am free from fear for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7

I am free from doubt for "God hath given to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3

I am free from weakness, "for the Lord is the strength of my life." Ps. 27:1 and "the people know their God shall be strong and do exploits." Dan. 11:32

I am free from the power of Satan "for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." 1 Jn. 4:4

I am free from defeat "for God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus." 2 Cor. 2:14

I am free from ignorance, "for Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God." 1 Cor. 1:30

I am free from sin "for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin." 1 Jn. 1:7

I am free from worry "for I am to cast my cares upon Him." 1 Pet. 5:7

I am free from bondage "for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17

I am free from condemnation, "for there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1

NEW AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY

                                      NEW AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY

I have studied the Bible, scripture and related books for many years. Therefore I was skeptical when a man was eager to explain his Christianity to me. I did not tell him I was an ordained Christian minister. I have direct quotes from him and they will be so marked. He is what I call a new and revised American Christian. Please read this “new” definition of Jews and Christians. 

No where did he mention Christ, so I am still trying to understand how or why he considers himself a Christian. This man quotes and interprets some verses of scripture. He gave a rather disjointed explanation of his “Christian” faith, and I will present it as he gave it, so it will be lengthy. 

“A long time ago a nation who worshiped God found themselves losing battles to a powerful neighbor. It didn’t occur to the people or their religious leaders to ask God why. After losing 4,000 citizens soldiers, elders of the nation concluded the battle was lost because a special religious chest wasn’t present. They were saying “We lost because our lucky charm wasn’t with our fighting boys. They can’t be the best they can be when God’s box isn’t present.”

This man is referring to I Sam. 4 and scripture that tells us of Israel’s defeat by the Philistines in the battle where 4,000 Israelis were killed and the box (Ark of the Covenant) was captured. If this man had read I Sam. 5, he would have found that when the Philistines captured the Ark, they placed it in the house of Dagon, their god. The next morning, Dagon had fallen on its face to the earth. The ark still stood. The next day they found Dagon again on the ground and both palms of the hands and head were broken. Then God ravished the Philistines with tumors. When the Philistines took the Ark to another town, that town was also ravished. The Philistines now greatly feared the Arc and returned it to Israel. This man said the Philistines at first feared the power of this box, but then won the big battle and captured the box. He didn’t mention what happened in I Sam. CH 5 & 6.

I wondered why he began his scripture references NINE books from the beginning of the Old Testament. He ignored genesis which includes creation of man in God’s Image, The Noahaic Covenant, and the Abrahamic Covenant. This latter covenant tells us how God designated Israel to be His people and the means to lead others to a correct worship of God. He also gave us the Ten Commandments. (Ex. 19 & 20) he also ignores the Godly power brought to Israel in the other books of the Old Testament. 

So far, his explanation of God’s work completely ignores creation, the selection of Israel as His CHOSEN, the Ten Commandments, the Holy Spirit, and all the basics for Christians. Jesus Christ is not mentioned and neither is John 1:1 proclaiming the Word of God (the Bible) as God. Where does he get the name Christian?

Next, this man fast forwards to today and America and our problems. He says in much confusion that “America no longer calls on the same god for help or to worship.”  He does not say who that god was – it obviously wasn’t the god of Israel. Most people in the world believe in some god, even Satan. He goes on to say that “God is mentioned often in the Declaration of Independence.” This little group of people (colonies) defeated the most powerful nation on earth (Great Britain.) People are saying we need to get back to our founding documents. “They 

were lucky for us once, weren’t they?” 

Here this man really displays his ignorance. God is not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. The expression used for God is “supreme Judge of the world, creation, divine providence, Nature’s God and Laws of Nature. I have read that document, the Preamble and the constitution many times, and God is not mentioned. Moreover, America’s Constitution is the only major free nation declaration in the world that does not contain the word of God. 

This man goes on to say we “don’t seek the god mentioned in this document.” Since there is no god mentioned in the document, how could we mention him? If he was mentioned, how could we distinguish him form any other god since this man never accepted Israel as God’s chosen people?

So far we see not one mention of any covenant in scripture. No God of Israel and not one reference to Jesus Christ. Nothing he has said makes sense or is fully explained. Are you for ready this?

Our covenant with God is our Constitution. He has not accepted any of the biblical teaching and does not believe in any of the Jewish or Christian principles. Yet he says he is a Christian. By accepting our Constitution as our Covenant, we are governed my man-people-persons who do not have to follow ANY of God’s commandments or law. We don’t even recognize that Jesus existed and is our Savior and the only way to heaven. Those are Christ’s very words. Our founding fathers made the covenant. 

Now I understand why the Supreme Court ruled Citizens United in 2010 that corporations are people (persons) with all the rights and privileges as men and women. This ruling, although Gen. 1:26-27 clearly describes men as a likeness to God and Jesus, eliminates Christ from the trinity and as the Son of God. The Supreme Court now can make ANY law, not being under the God of the chosen (Israel), Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. PEOPLE, YOU HAVE ALLOWED THE SUPREME COURT TO ACT IN THE PLACE OF GOD. If you can accept this arrangement, how can you be a Christian? This man and all the followers of this belief cannot be part of something that doesn’t exist. 

He also quotes 2 Chron. 7:14, “ If My people, which are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

He concludes his rant by saying, “God cannot be kept in a box, or on a piece of animal hide.” This, folks, is the explanation for throwing Jesus and real followers of Jesus Christ under the bus. Using our Constitution as our covenant gives man the full power to set all customs, rules, procedures, laws, and everything. They can interpret everything including scripture. The God of the Chosen and Christ have exactly NO say. It’s all up to men and women. 

If “My people’ and “We the people” are called upon by these new types of Christians, they can expect only a trip to hell. America has not stood up for Jesus Christ, and God has found our nation sadly wanting (lacking). As an individual, you can still witness for the Chosen and Christ. I urge you to carefully and quickly study this message. God has patience, but eventually He will act.

Rev. Walbear

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembering why freedom isn't free. Here are some scriptures as we remember those who have served, are serving and will serve, and those who never came back. Thank you, and we will pray and strive for a better tomorrow with God's direction.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Revelation 21:4

and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

John 14:1-3

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Isaiah 54:10

"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken," Says the LORD who has compassion on you.

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

HAPPY EASTER!

                            HE IS RISEN!

GOOD FRIDAY

                                                                  GOOD FRIDAY

We saw Passover and the Last Supper observed. Today, we visit the most tragic and unjust death in the history of the world. Our Savior, who was perfect and sinless, being beaten and crucified for all of us as sinners, so that we may have everlasting life.

I often cry as I read about Peter denying Christ three times, and realizing the horror of what he has done. How many times in every day life do we deny Him because we may be worried what others think or we don't want to be labeled as "one of those nuts" or we are afraid it may affect our jobs, standing or reputation? How vain and shallow can we be? It would be only fair then one day as we stand before Him in judgement that He say He knew us not.

While this day is dark in so many ways, Christ was the perfect Passover and sacrificial lamb, the best there was to offer without blemish, no broken bones during crucifixion etc. I also think of the Jewish Leaders claiming their only King was Ceasar, and not Christ, the King of the Jews. How many of us in churches and as Christians have chosen another king? Money, power, influence, addiction, things, sports or entertainments that all take the place of where Christ should be in our priorities in life. Just something to think about.

Here are the readings for this Good Friday.

Good Friday Readings

And They Crucified Him Mark 15:22-25 -- They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him . . . 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 1Cor. 15:1-3 -- Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, This is the King of the Jews John 19:19-22 -- Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write `The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." Rom. 5:6-8 -- You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His First Word on the Cross Luke 23:33-34 -- When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-- one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Rom. 5:9-10 -- Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Casting Lots for the Seamless Robe John 19:23-24 -- When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did. Rom. 3:23-26 -- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus Blasphemed and Mocked by All Matt. 27:39-44 -- Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, `I am the Son of God.'" 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Luke 23:36-37 -- The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." Gal. 3:13 -- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." His Second Word John 19:25-27 -- Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 1Pet. 2:24 -- He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. His Third Word Luke 23:39-43 -- One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 1Pet 3:18 -- For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. His Fourth Word Mark 15:33-36 -- At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." 36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.   Col. 1:19-23 -- For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. His Fifth and Sixth Words John 19:28-30 -- Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." 1John 2:1-2 -- My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. His Seventh Word and His Death Luke 23:46 -- Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Heb. 2:14-15 -- Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Col. 2:13 -- When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. The Miraculous Signs Matt. 27:51-56 -- At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. Heb. 7:26-27 -- Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Heb. 9:25-28 -- Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. They Pierce His Side John 19:31-37 -- Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced." Eph. 1:7 -- In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 1Pet. 1:18-19 -- For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. The Burial John 19:38-42 -- Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. Matt. 27:60-66 -- He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, `After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Gal. 2:20-21 -- I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

PASSOVER-- Question # 4

                          PASSOVER-- Question # 4


4. On all other nights we eat while sitting upright, but on this night we eat reclining.

The fourth "question" refers to the ancient custom of eating while reclining on one elbow. It symbolizes the concept of freedom, that Jews would be able to have a celebratory meal while relaxing together and enjoying each others company. This question became part of The Four Questions after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. Originally the fourth question, mentioned in the Talmud (Mishnah Pesachim 10:4) was: "On all other nights we eat meat which has been roasted, stewed, or boiled, but on this night we eat only roasted meat." This original question referred to the practice of sacrificing the Paschal lamb at the Temple, a practice that ceased after the Temple's destruction. Once the sacrificial system was abandoned the rabbis replaced the fourth question with one about reclining during the Passover Seder.

The Messianic or Christian answer also includes “Because our Passover Lamb has bought our freedom. Tonight we remember that we are no longer slaves, but children of the very King of Kings. Free men, royalty, recline while eating. So, as Jesus who reclined at the Last Supper, we too recline tonight, for we are free to come before God who is upon the Throne.”

PASSOVER-- QUESTION #3

                                                         PASSOVER -- Question # 3


3. On all other nights we don't dip our vegetables/parsley in salt water, but on this night we dip them twice.

The vegetables are dipped in salt water to remind us of the tears of slavery. 

“Our fathers dipped hyssop branches into the blood of the Passover lamb, that they might mark their doorposts.”

Dipping a parsley sprig into the salt water, it continues. “As they wept salty tears for their life of slavery, they, in faith, painted the door lintels with the blood, that the Angel of Death may pass over. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”

Dipping the parsley again, this time into a small glass dish of apple and raisins. “But now we have hope. Because of the blood shed by the thorns piercing Jesus’ brow. Because of the blood from the wounds of the nails, that we, in faith, mark on the door of our hearts. Now we wipe away our tears, for we have glorious, endless new life in Christ. We have been rebirthed into His hope.”