Manna from Heaven

Exodus 16:31

The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

I am studying about seeds in the Bible. For an image, go here: Manna from Heaven/

Why Would We?

I'm sure you are referring to the "whywouldwe.org" billboards. They really do upset me. To be true, Jesus never did discriminate on basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit, but he also didn't approve of people acting out in sin, either.

One of the scriptures referred to on their website is Matthew 8:5-13, which reads:
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

They say that Jesus, in this passage, affirmed a gay couple. I have read this over and over and I do not get anywhere in this passage that the two are gay.

This is also recorded in Luke 7:1-10, which reads:

When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Again, all it says is that there is a commander and a servant. It doesn't say anything about them having sexual relations with each other. And judged by Sodom and Gomorrah, we can assume that God doesn't get happy about this type of activity.

The next scripture they refer to is Acts 8:26-40, which is said to welcome a gay couple into the church.

Acts 8:26-40 reads:
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

WWWHHHAAATTT?! A Eunuch is an official to the King and Queen and "the goods" are removed so that they will not try to overthrow the thrown. Since "the goods" are removed, they cannot have heirs. They don't have sex. Period. And I have NO IDEA what in the world someone would get the idea that Philip and the Eunuch are a "couple" or even why the Eunuch would have any kind of relationship.

There article states that Eunuchs were set aside for homosexual relationships. And that may be true in some cases, just like some children are set aside by their parents to play and excel in sports. It doesn't necessarily mean that it is true for all situations. Those who held public office during that time HAD to become Eunuchs. The Kings and Queens of that age did not want officials who could overtake the thrown and then create heirs. The Eunuch was the answer to that problem. Officials in these offices generally did not have any romantic relationships of any kind.

Why Would We dot Org mentions Acts 10:34 which states: "Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism..." and they leave it at that. They failed to mention the remainder of the passage, which reads: "but accepts men from every nation who FEAR him and DO what is RIGHT." (emphasis mine)

It really does seem obvious that whywouldwe.org does manipulate the scriptures.

2nd Timothy 4:3-5 reads:
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

It appears clear that whomever these people are, they are listening to what their itching ears want to hear. I want to caution that we should do what we can to love in this situation and issue warnings whenever the situation dictates.

Finally, Mark 9 says "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

I could also talk about weeds being among the harvest, too... as that does tie into what I am about to say. I think it is best to not necessarily condemn those who have this belief, as I believe that whoever isn't saved will definitely "sifted" out. We know what the scriptures say. Still, Mark 9 tells me to not persecute them. It tells me that maybe in all of that "itching ear" preaching that will occur due to that misbelief, maybe God will bless someone with eternal life. Maybe someone's eyes will be opened. And if that happens, then maybe all isn't necessarily lost.

Touch Bound

Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Bound: qâshar (pronounced: kaw-shar'):

• To tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league): bind (bind up), (make a) conspire (conspiracy, conspirator), join together, knit, stronger, work [treason].

Bound Up In (idiom):

• Inseparably connected with.
• Devoted or attached to.
• Also, bound up with. Deeply or inextricably involved in. For example, Obviously the candidate was bound up with the negotiations on the party platform, or She is bound up in her church activities. This usage appears in the Bible (Genesis 44:30): "His life is bound up in the lad's life." [Late 1500s]

Genesis 44:30-32
"So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life, sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'"

-So... folly is bound up in a heart of a child. It is deeply involved in a child's heart. It is confined in the heart. How about this one: Foolishness is joined together with the heart of a child. It is joined in there... JOINED! The rod of discipline is the tool that does the heart surgery. You use the rod and it removes the foolishness from the child. And if you have a little boy, you can definitely see the foolishness. My son RUNS to trouble. He runs to foolishness.

Rod: shêbet (pronounced: shay'-bet):

• Meaning to branch off; a scion, that is, (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan: correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.

Spare a switch... Johnny Out.

One Another: Part VII

Esther 4:12-14
When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 7:8-10
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?" As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Hang him on it!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.

Esther 8:15-17
Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

Esther 9:13, 18-22

"If it pleases the king," Esther answered, "give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day's edict tomorrow also, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows."

The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

-I felt a little back story is required to understand the reason for the Feast of Purim. This was the first time it was celebrated, and was celebrated every year since by the Jews. Haman was killed on the gallows he made for Mordecai. Haman's ten sons were all hung on gallows because of his hatred toward the Jews. Which brings up a question... is there anything good that results from hatred? No. I don't think so. And the Jews were to be annihilated, but instead it was Haman's family that got annihilated.

Now, As a result of everything, the Feast of Purim came about. Also, many people got converted to Judaism. The feast brought about the Jews being unified, as they gave presents of food to each other and took care of the poor. Now that's good. That's a positive side of being unified. It's good to see the fruits of unification and not necessarily the sins of everything. Johnny Out.

Secrets and Hints: Edition #2

The Bible talks about hints, but in different forms throughout the Bible. In a couple of passages, it talks about a mustard seed. I'll get to that shortly.

Hint (noun):

• An indirect, covert, or helpful suggestion; clue.
• A very slight or hardly noticeable amount.
• Perceived indication or suggestion; note; intimation.
• Synonyms: Allusion, insinuation, innuendo; memorandum, reminder; inkling.

Ephesians 5:1-7

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

-I've already taken a look at greed. How about foolish talk.

Proverbs 4:24 says "Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips."

Proverbs 12:13 says "An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble."

Proverbs 14:3 says "A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them."

Proverbs 14:23 says "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

Ephesians 4:29 says "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

1 Peter 2:13-17

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Foolish (adjective):

• Resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered; unwise.
• Lacking forethought or caution.
• Trifling, insignificant, or paltry.
• Resulting from stupidity or misinformation; unwise.

So, foolish talk would then be talk that is unwise or simply put, stupid talk. It is talk that comes from a stupid person or from misinformation. God wants not even a hint of foolish talk. NOT A HINT. Wow. talk about setting the bar high... well, good enough. Johnny Out.