Verses For the Week

Isaiah 44:22 -- "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

Ephesians 1:7 -- "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."

Weekend Sermon -- "I Have Not Come to Bring Peace?" -- Luke 12:49-53

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am thankful for the fact that I am able to post these messages. I hope that everyone is having a good week. I had to delay the sermon one day because I had to get a dead tree that was right by my house cut down. We were afraid that it might fall on the house. Thankfully, it is now safely removed. Thanks be to God, I did not have to pay anything to have it taken out.
     This has been another good week in writing, and I am thankful to the Lord for that. I am still praying that I can get my house sold, and I would like to find a little more writing work or a part-time job. Please pray that the Lord will direct my ways in these matters.
     Please continue to pray for those in Puerto Rico who are having problems due to the hurricanes. There are still many who need help and have a long way to go to recover.
     Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, South Sudan and Congo.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Myanmar and Kosovo. Pray that the message of Jesus' love will reach many in these two nations.
     Today, we are continuing with our series of messages on passages and verses in the Bible that are misinterpreted or taken out of context. The passage that we are going to focus on today is a passage that is usually misinterpreted by those who are not Christians. They use it incorrectly to say that Jesus did not come to this earth to bring peace, and the the Christian religion is a violent and not a peaceful religion.
    The passage in question is found in Luke 12:49-53. There is a similar passage in Matthew 10. The verse of controversy is verse 51 which states, "Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." Jesus would go on to state that there would be people in families that would be divided against each other because of Him. Father would be divided against son and daughter would be divided against mother.
     What does this all mean? First of all, let's get the misinterpretation of this verse out of the way. Jesus is by no means saying that He is not for peace and is for war or violence. This is nowhere found in the Bible.
     When Jesus was born, the angels announced to the shepherds that peace was upon the earth. One of the names of Jesus recorded in the book of Isaiah is that He is the Prince of Peace.
     In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that the peacemakers would be blessed, and they would be called the children of God.
     When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He did not resist. He told Peter to put away his sword. He said that those who live by the sword would die by the sword.
     Jesus clearly taught the way of peace and non-violence in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said that we should love our enemies. He told us to turn the other check. He told us to do good to those who were opposed to us.
     Jesus was the man of peace, and Jesus brings peace. Jesus brings peace to every aspect of life.
     We can only know spiritual peace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and to be our Savior and Lord, we can have a peace that comes from Jesus that will pass all understanding. Jesus said that He would be our peace. He ascended into Heaven and left peace in our hearts through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
     Following the teachings and the commandments of Jesus is what will bring peace to every human relationship. If people would follow the teachings of Jesus, there would be peace in families and within communities. The nations of the world would know peace if they would follow the way of Jesus Christ.
     Now, let me be clear. There has been a lot of violence and war perpetrated in the name of Jesus over the course of the last 2,000 years. That is not because of anything that Jesus taught. That is because people that claim to follow Jesus don't actually do what He says.
     I have a degree in theology, but I also have a degree in history. I have extensively studied the history of the Byzantine Empire. Here is an empire that claimed to be followers of Jesus Christ. There were many great saints and theologians in Byzantium. However, this empire was constantly at war. Many of these were wars of aggression.  If you read the history of the Byzantine Empire, it was filled with corruption at the highest levels. Some of the things that people did in this place in the name of Jesus will make you sick.
     Many have used the Christian faith and the name of Jesus for wrong. People have preached crusades that tried to motivate people to take up the sword. Of course, this isn't something that Jesus would have ever advocated or condoned. Nothing is more antithetical to who Jesus is than those who want to conquer under the sign of the cross.
     Jesus taught that we are to treat others in the way that we would want to be treated. He taught us to put others first. He taught the way of love and compassion.
     Now, what was Jesus talking about then when He said that He had not come to bring peace? Jesus knew that His teachings would cause division because some would absolutely follow His way, while others would be vehemently opposed to His ways and His teachings. We see this right in Jesus' own time. The religious leaders didn't want to have anything to do with Him. The sought to have Him killed. Others followed Jesus and loved Him with all of their hearts.
      When you seek to follow the way of Jesus, you will face opposition, and that might come from your own family and friends. I know that after my Dad became a Christian, none of his old friends wanted to have anything to do with him anymore. I've known some people who were members of a different religion who when they came to faith in Jesus Christ, their family disowned them and treated them as if they were dead.
     This is what Jesus is speaking about. Following Him will have consequences that might even be at the most intimate family level. The apostle Paul speaks about the fact that some in the church even had their husbands and wives abandon them after they came to Jesus.
     Even though many people will reject those who try to faithfully follow Jesus, that doesn't mean that Jesus is not the way of peace. If everyone would follow Jesus, there would be perfect peace. And that perfect peace will come one day when Jesus comes again to rule and reign on this earth in power and great glory.
     There is one last thing that I want to mention. Jesus does not need anyone to defend Him through violence. Jesus does not want us to retaliate against others when we are persecuted. One day, Jesus was going through the area of Samaria, and the people of Samaria rejected Him. Some of Jesus' disciples wanted to call fire down from heaven in judgment. However, Jesus sternly rebuked them for even thinking this. This wasn't who Jesus was. He was and is the man of peace and love.
     Jesus extends His peace and love to the world. He desires that all people everywhere come to Him and receive His love, forgiveness and peace. I hope that if you have not already come to Jesus as Savior and Lord that you will do so today.
     Next week, we will continue in our current sermon series. I will post the message on Friday. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review on Wednesday. On other thing, they are already calling for tornadic storms in my area for midweek. Please pray that these do not materialize. May God bless you all. Amen.

Update

The Weekend Sermon will be delayed one day this week. It will appear on Saturday. Thank you.

Haiku

Today in place of the review, I am posting two haiku that I had published. The first was published in the Summer 1998 edition of Japanophile, and the second was published in Vol 8 No. 1 1996 of Potpourri.

the hot southern wind
scorches the waving green grass
as day turns to night.


Proceeding gently
like rain from clouds above
a tortoise walking.

Verses For the Week

     Deuteronomy 31:8 -- "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

I Peter 5:7 -- "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. "

Update on Prayer Request

     If you've read the Weekend Sermon, you know that I asked for prayer for a homeless man whose dog was stolen. I would like to report that the man's dog has been found and returned. I thank the Lord for this, and I thank you for your prayers in this matter.

Weekend Sermon -- "What the Bible Says About the Treatment of Animals"

     Welcome to a new edition of the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for taking the time to read the blog this week. I hope that everyone is having a very good week.
     This week, I have been able to get quite a bit accomplished. The weather has been a little warmer, so I've been able to work outside some. Writing has been good this week, and I thank the Lord for that.
     I've put out the word to a lot of people that I want to get my house sold. Please pray that the Lord's will will be done in this matter.
     In prayer this week, please continue to pray for the people of Puerto Rico. They are still having trouble getting the electricity back on on that island.
     Let us continue to pray for the recovery efforts in Papua New Guinea. Much still needs to be done to help the people there.
     I follow a group in Britain that provides veterinary care to the pets of homeless people. One of the men that they help has had his dog stolen. This makes me sick that someone would steal a homeless man's dog. Please pray that the dog will be returned.
     Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan, Libya and Yemen.
     Please pray that the nations and the people of this world will act in an environmentally responsible way. Pray that people would respect life on earth.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for the nations of Nepal and Albania. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
     I am departing today from the series that we have been having messages on. Earth Day is this Sunday, and I wanted to bring a message about some of what the Bible has to say about the way that animals are to be treated. The Bible actually has a lot to say on the matter.
     When I originally started this blog seven years ago, one thing that I wanted to do was to speak up about animal and environmental issues. These issues have been neglected in many parts of the Christian community.
     When I was a boy and young man growing up in the Fundamentalist churches my parents went to, the churches were opposed to anything that had to do with the environmental movement or with animal rights. That is one of the reasons that those church leaders and I did not get along. I've loved and cared about animals all my life.
      The Bible is quite clear that we are to treat animals with respect and we are not to mistreat them. We saw a couple of weeks ago in a sermon I posted here on the blog that all of the animals belong to Jesus. The Bible says that everything was made by Him and for Him. Everything belongs to Him.
     Animals are not here for us to use for our own pleasure. They have feelings and their own lives that they want to live. We should respect that.
     In Proverbs 12:10, the Bible says that, "A righteous man has regard for the life of his beasts." That means that if a person is in a right relationship with God, that person will take care of the animals that are in his care. That goes for pets and farm animals alike.
     The way that farm animals are treated in my country is appalling. Factory farming treats animals like units of commerce. It is truly frightening to see animals treated in this fashion.
      The Bible says in Deuteronomy 25:4 that, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." That would be cruel to not let the animal partake of its labors.
      Deuteronomy 22:10 tells us that we should not plow with an ox and a donkey together. It is unequal. The donkey will become worn out and hurt.
      In Exodus, we are instructed to return a lost animal to its owner even if the owner is an enemy. We are told to help an animal with a heavy load that is weighing it down if we come across that.
      The Lord even instructed that animals should have a day of rest just as people do. In Exodus 23:12, the animals are to partake in the Sabbath rest of God.
     The Lord has created all the animals on this earth. Originally, they were not to be eaten by humans. That was not allowed until after the flood in Noah's day. One day, people will no longer eat meat again. It won't be allowed.
      When the Lord Jesus returns, all will be at peace. The wolf and lamb will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox we are told by the prophet Isaiah.
      As believers in Jesus Christ, we are obligated to treat animals well. By His death, Jesus ended the sacrificial system so that no animals have to die in this way anymore.
     Sadly, I don't think Christians are doing all that they can to help animals. I hope that that will change.
     Right now, there are millions of dogs and cats that are killed each year because no one wants them anymore. What a shame. So many dogs and cats are abused, and that is not right. No one who believes in Jesus Christ should abandon their pets or be mean to them in any way.
     Christians who are involved in agriculture should take care of their animals. They shouldn't be kept in overcrowded conditions, and they shouldn't be treated as an economic unit. Something that makes me very upset is when I hear people say that they harvested their livestock. This is a euphemism for taking them to the slaughterhouse. They weren't harvested, animals aren't like the wheat in the field.
     Several years ago, I stopped eating pork and then I stopped eating beef. I've now given up eating all meat and fish. I've become a vegetarian, and I plan to remain one for the rest of my life. I am tired of living off of animals.
     My thinking is that in paradise, I won't be eating animals, so why not just start living in this area like I am already in the kingdom of God.
     As far as the treatment of wild animals goes, I believe that Christians should work diligently to preserve and protect wildlife species. There are thousands of animals that are on the verge of extinction because of the actions of human beings.
     I hope that everyone who reads this message will recognize that animals are important. They have feelings and feel pain. We need to respect and take care of what the Lord has made.
     I hope that you will take good care of all the animals that God has placed in your care. Make sure that they have shelter, good food and some attention.
     Try to find some way that you can help animals. That might be through charitable contributions, through advocacy or through caring for an animal.
      If you aren't a vegetarian, I would recommend that you give it try. The Bible doesn't say that it is a sin to eat meat at this time, but why not live the way now that you will in the kingdom? Try and cut out one type of meat and go from there. Maybe you could try just not eating meat one day a week and see how that goes?
     Whatever you decide to do, take the welfare of animals and environment to heart. The Lord cares about what He has made, and so should we.
     Next week, we will return to our series of messages on misinterpreted Bible passages. On Monday, I will post the verses. On Wednesday I will either post a review or a poem. May God bless you all. Amen.

Book Review -- Checked

    Today's book is entitled "Checked" written by Cynthia Kadohata.  This is a book that is written for younger readers, but I think that just about anyone would enjoy reading this book.
     The main character in this book is a young man named Conor. He lives with his dad and his dog Sinbad who is a Doberman. Conor's mom has passed away, and his stepmother has divorced his dad. Conor's life is focused around playing hockey and spending time with his dog who he loves very much.
     Conor and his dad's relationship centers around hockey. Conor's dad played professional hockey for a short time, and it is Conor's goal to make it to the NHL one day.
     It costs a lot of money to keep Conor in the best leagues and to pay for private coaching. There isn't a lot of money to spare as Conor's dad is a policeman who doesn't make a hefty salary.
     One day, Sinbad gets very sick, and he is diagnosed with cancer. Treatment is going to be expensive, and Conor decides that his dog is more important than hockey, so he decides to cut back on the hockey expenditures to help and spend more time with his dog.
     I won't give away the ending as I hope that you will read and enjoy this book. It is very well written. It does go in depth about hockey. I found that interesting. I thought the overall story was well done, and I liked the relationship between Conor and Sinbad.

Verses For the Week and an Update

Hebrews 1:3 -- "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high."

Psalm 110:1 -- " The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'"

Update -- In the Weekend Sermon, I said that we would continue with the sermon series we have been studying. However, I was mistaken. This week is Earth Day on the 22nd. I will be posting a sermon on what we owe to animals for the Weekend Sermon this week. Thank you.

Also, thank you for your prayers. The storms were not bad in my area. I thank the Lord for this.

Weekend Sermon -- "The One Who Is Unwilling to Work Shall Not Eat" -- II Thessalonians 3:10

     Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon this week. I am glad to be able to post the sermon. I hope that everyone is doing well.
     This has been an up and down week for writing. I had one of my best days monetarily, and I had a poor day. All in all, things are going pretty well. I am thankful to the Lord of the opportunity to be a writer and to post sermons and other items here on the blog.
     Please be in prayer regarding the situation in Syria. Let us all pray for peace. Let us pray for the leaders of the world that they will make proper decisions.
     Let us pray for peace in every nation where there is war and unrest. Congo, Libya, Yemen, Israel, Afghanistan, Ukraine and South Sudan all need our prayers.
     I do have something that I want to thank the Lord for. We've been praying that aid would reach the people in Puerto Rico. I heard a report this week that the people there will be getting help from the federal government with housing. I am thankful for this
     Let's keep praying for the people in Papua New Guinea. Many are still in need following the earthquake in that country.
     I would like to ask for prayer in three matters. They are calling for very bad storms in my part of the world today. Please pray that they won't be bad. Please pray that I can find a part-time job or just a little more writing work. Please pray that I can sell my house if it is the Lord's will. Thank you.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for Iraq and Liberia. Pray that many will hear of the love of Jesus in these two countries.
     For the past few weeks, we have been studying some passages in the Bible that are often taken out of context or misinterpreted.  Today, we are going to study a verse that is not necessarily interpreted incorrectly, it is just used as a justification for a certain mindset. It is over applied.
     The verse in question this week is II Thessalonians 3:10 which states, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule, the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
     The way that this verse is used by some ministers and politicians in my country makes me very upset. This verse is used as a justification for cutting food assistance programs and social welfare programs. The verse is used to hurt a lot of people. However, I don't think a lot of thought is put into what this entire passage of the Bible is really getting at. Let's try to look at the whole picture.
     There are at least four ways to interpret this passage. I want to look at each of them.
     First of all. Some interpret verse 10 and the surrounding verses in the context of I and II Thessalonians. In these letters, Paul addresses the fact that Jesus is coming again. Paul believed, and rightly so, that Jesus could return at any moment and establish his rule and reign on earth.
     With this in mind, some were not working, and they were just waiting for Jesus to come. They were relying on the others wealth to get them along until Jesus returned. Paul is telling these people not to do this. They should be engaged in the world because no person knows the day or the hour of Christ's appearing.
     The second way that the passage can be interpreted is as a directive to the leadership of the church. Paul says that he and those he was with did not ask the Thessalonians to support them. They worked and earned their own living so as not to be a burden on the people. Paul said that whoever was ministering in the church should work or not eat.
     There is a third that this passage has been interpreted. Some group within the church was causing dissension. We don't know what that was. Paul calls them busybodies. Instead of causing dissension, Paul says that they should get to work, not really on others and quit causing problems.
     The final way to interpret this verse is that it is a directive for everyone in that church and other churches. It is a general principle that if a person has the ability to work, that person should work and supply their own needs and the needs of their family. If they are unwilling to do that, Paul says that there is not an obligation to support such a person.
     So, we have seen four ways to interpret this passage. What is the proper interpretation? I think that there is much truth in the first interpretation and the second and the fourth. I'm not so sure about the third interpretation.
     Other people through time have responded as some in Thessaloniki. In the United States, there was a group in the 1800s who believed that Jesus was about to return. They all quit their jobs and sold everything. They waited on the appointed day for Jesus to return. He did not, and these people were left destitute.
     It seems as if Paul always worked and supported himself when he was in the ministry. He also said that there was nothing wrong with a minister receiving support from the congregation in most instances. Paul just didn't want to be a burden on others, and he didn't want others to think that he was preaching just so that he could get money.
     It is clear in the Bible that we are supposed to work for our living if we are capable. Even Adam in the Garden of Eden was given tasks to do. The Bible says that six days are for labor, and one day is for rest.
     Now, here is where the problem comes with some who quote this verse about the one who doesn't work shouldn't eat. As I said, this is often used to support cutting back programs that help those that are in need. I've seen it used to not help the homeless. This is a misuse of this verse.
     First of all, it is a misconception that the majority of people who receive aid don't want to work. I'm sure that this is true of some. Many people that receive food assistance are working. They just don't make enough to supply what their need.
     Also, many people are willing to work, but they can't find jobs that they are able to do. By this I mean that there may be a lot of jobs, but not everyone is capable of doing every job. Some people can work in an office, but they don't have the stamina to work outside and do manual type labor. They might try, but they wouldn't last. People who are trying to find work shouldn't be cut off from help as long as they are trying.
     I've seen this verse used to criticize people as lazy because they were able-bodied and not working. What does that mean? I remember a writer I know speaking about this. This writer had PTSD from his time in the military. He looked and appeared able bodied, but he had a problem that disabled him that others couldn't see.
     It makes me upset that some Christians use this verse to beat people over the head who are poor and make them feel like dirt. That is not right. Some people need help, and they shouldn't be made to feel ashamed.
     Another area I'd like to address. Poor does not equal lazy. I heard this all the time in the church I grew up in. I've known people who've worked hard their whole lives and they are still poor. That doesn't have anything to do with them. It has to do with unjust wages and the exploitation of the corporate elite.
     While I'm addressing this whole topic, I'd like to mention another phrase I hear Christian people use all the time. They will say, "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime." This is just another excuse not to help people. You may teach the man to fish so that he can support himself, but you better give him a few fish while he is trying to learn or he'll starve to death.
      Now, I am sure that there are people who are unwilling to work and are trying to get handouts from the government and churches. However, many of these people have children. Are you going to not give help and food and care to the parents of children?
      I don't think Paul had any idea that this verse would be used by people to actually deny aid to poor people. The reason I believe this is that Paul served Jesus Christ. Paul was well aware that Jesus said that He would judge the world by how they respond to the least among them.
     As Christians, our best course is to follow the compassionate example of Jesus. Give and help others. Some might take advantage. Most won't.
     Case in point. There is a food pantry run by a church close to where I live. They don't ask anyone how much they make or if they have a job. Their philosophy is that if someone comes for help, they help. If they are trying to game the system, God will work it out. That church hasn't had any problems, and they help a lot of truly needy people get back on their feet.
     To some things up. Don't use this verse as a club to beat poor people. Most people are willing to work if they can and if they are given a chance and support. Help people. Feed the hungry. Cloth the naked. Help the homeless. You may get burned once in a while. Jesus is the judge. He knows your heart and theirs. Our responsibility is to faithfully serve Jesus. We need to be grateful for what we have, and not worry so much that someone else may get something they don't deserve.
     I know that I've rambled on, but this is an issue that really upsets me. Please excuse this rambling sermon. I hope that it is enlightening.
     Next week, we will look at another misapplied passage. On Monday, I will post the verses. I plan to have a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all.

Book Review -- "Have Dog Will Travel" and Some Various Thoughts

     The book that I am reviewing today is "Have Dog Will Travel: A Poet's Journey" written by Stephen Kuusisto. This book recounts the author's experiences with a guide dog for the blind named Corky.
     Stephen was blind from birth, but he tried to keep it hidden as much as possible. His family felt that if others knew that he was blind, that it would be considered a weakness. Stephen went through college and became a professor trying to manage as best he could in the world.
     Finally, Stephen realized that getting a guide dog could open up new possibilities for him in the world. He was accepted to receive a guide dog, and he went to the training program.
     Stephen was matched with a yellow Labrador named Corky who make a tremendous difference in his life. Corky would allow Stephen to live more fully in the world and go anywhere that he wanted to travel.
     I enjoyed this book very much. This book shows how much difference a dog can bring to a person's life. I believe that is true whether it be a service dog, a therapy dog or a companion. This book is Stephen's tribute to Corky, and it is very well done. I highly recommend this book.
     One thing that Stephen writes about that I want to mention is the fact that even though guide dogs are supposed to be allowed in businesses, workplaces, restaurants and other locations, Stephen and Corky still encountered people that did not want to let them in. This is wrong, and I hope that this type of discrimination will end.
     Someone whose posts I read on Twitter, @Kika_GuideDog, is a guide dog for a man who lives in London. His name is Amit. Amit and Kika have faced their share of nastiness from people. This has been posted on Twitter. Amit and Kika have been asked to get out of the way when they are on an escalator, and just recently, Amit and Kika were not allowed a space to sit down on the subway even though they were in the handicapped section. People wouldn't even bother to get up.
     I'm not blind like Stephen and Amit, but I do have a recurring problem with my legs. For months, my legs will be fine. I can mow the grass and walk around fine. However, out of the blue, I will get a flare of the muscle and nerve condition in my legs. On a few occasions, I've had to use a cane to help when I walk.
     When I've had to use my cane, I've experienced some bad instances. I've had people push around me and almost knock me over, and I had one woman in a parking lot ask me to hurry up and get out of the way so that she could get into a parking spot.
     I hope that everyone reading this will take time to consider that the blind and those with other challenges have the right to have their assistance dogs with them to help. Also, don't be rude and nasty. Just because someone can't see, hear or walk as fast as others doesn't make them inferior.
     Now, there is one other thing that I would like to mention. This book I've reviewed today really shows the difference that a dog can make. My dog Toby made a difference for me. He wasn't a certified assistance dog, but he was my helper. When I was facing depression and anxiety, he was there for me in a way that no one was before or since. I thank God for him everyday.  I wish that we could be together right now. I know that if Toby had still been alive when my Mom and Dad passed away, my life would be different than it is today.
   

Verses For the Week -- Verses About New Life in Christ

Romans 6:4 -- "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

II Corinthians 5:17 -- "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here."

Colossians 3:10 -- "... put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

Weekend Sermon -- "Let He Who Has No Sword Buy One"

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I thank the Lord that I am able to post the sermon this week. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well.
     Writing has gone well this week, and I am thankful to the Lord for this. We've been having a lot of cold weather, but the daffodils are out around the house, and I know that the warmer days of Spring are just around the corner.
     In prayer this week, I would ask that all us pray for those in Papua New Guinea. I read a report that the United Nations is there helping to deliver aid to people, but there are still many people there who still need a lot of help. Pray that these people will receive the aid that they need.
     I have an answer to prayer that I would like to report. We had been praying in regard to the cholera epidemic in Yemen. I heard a report that the cholera epidemic has been contained. I am very grateful for this.
     Please continue to pray for the people in Puerto Rico. Some still do not have power, and some are still without water.
     Continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Syria needs peace. Let's also pray for South Sudan, Afghanistan and Libya.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for the nations of Djibouti and Mongolia. Pray that many in these nations will hear of the love of Jesus.
     Last week, I posted a message about the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Today, we return to our series. We are currently in a series dealing with misinterpreted passages in the Bible, and verses that are taken out of context.
     The passage that we will deal with today has been in the news in my country as many Christians who are opposed to gun control have been quoting it as a justification that it is alright to own guns. I think that we will see, that this passage has nothing to do with that in any way.
     In Luke 22 verses 35-38, we find Jesus speaking to His disciples on the night in which He was betrayed. He reminds His disciples of the time that He told them to go on a journey and not to take a purse or a cloak. Now, Jesus tells them something different. Here is Luke 22:35-38, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written, "And he was numbered with the transgressors," and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching fulfillment. The disciples said, See, Lord here are two swords. That's Enough! He replied."
     First of all, Jesus is not instructing His disciples to arm themselves and start carrying swords in this passage. We will see why that is in a moment. Let's look at the two meanings that most Bible scholars give to this passage.
     One interpretation of many Bible scholars is that Jesus is speaking metaphorically in this passage. He is telling His disciples that He is about to die, and things will be different for His followers. They will face danger and persecution on His behalf. They need to understand that the road before them will be hard.
     The disciples thought that Jesus was speaking literally. They presented Him with two swords. Jesus said, "That's enough" as a way of telling His disciples to quit that type of talk. He wasn't speaking about literal swords.
     Jesus wasn't saying that is enough as if that is enough swords. If Jesus wanted all eleven of the disciples to have a sword, two would certainly not suffice.
    Now, what is the other interpretation of this passage. In this passage, Jesus speaks about the prophecy is Isaiah that the Messiah would be numbered among the transgressors. This view holds that Jesus wanted at least a couple of swords to be present so that this prophecy could be fulfilled.
    We see this when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus. Jesus wondered why they came out against Him with swords and clubs as if He were the leader of a rebellion. Peter swings his sword and cuts off a man's ear.
    Jesus orders Peter to put away the sword. Jesus said whoever lives by the sword will die by the sword. Jesus healed the man's severed ear, and then Jesus was taken into custody. He was numbered with the transgressors in the fulfillment of prophecy.
     I tend to favor the first interpretation, but I think the second has some good points. I don't believe that Jesus was literally telling the disciples to get a sword, and He was upset when they thought that He was. Jesus was not pleased with Peter's action against the high priest's servant. Jesus made it clear that His followers were not to live by the sword.
    If Jesus had actually wanted the disciples to carry swords, He would not have been upset and told them not to do it just hours later.
     Now, how is this relevant to us. First of all, in my country, conservative Christians tend to equate God and guns in some strange way that I do not understand. I wrote on the blog a year ago about the church that was having gun raffles to get more people to attend.
     In my understanding of the teachings of Jesus, He spoke about non-violence and turning the other check. He stated that His kingdom was not to be promoted by violent means.
     In my country, we have the highest death by gun rate of any country in the Western world. Any attempt to regulate weapons is quickly turned aside by stiff opposition. This opposition is often from conservative, evangelical Christians. I do not understand this.
     Many evangelical Christians have used the verse that we are studying today to justify their collection and possession of all types of guns. I hope that I have at least pointed out some other much more scholarly interpretations.
     Jesus said that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. This applies to people and to nations. Nations that are warlike and rely on militarism will eventually fall. People that resort to violence often meet a violent end.
     Sadly, so few people have listened to the teachings of Jesus even among those who claim to be His followers. Look at what Christian people have done in the name of Jesus. There have been wars, persecutions and destruction all carried out by people using the name of Jesus.
     One of the worst wars in European history was the Thirty Years War between Catholics and Protestants. Hundreds of thousands were killed. In the book I reviewed two weeks ago "Tomorrow" there is a section dealing with the devastation from this war.
     How Jesus must weep when He sees the violence that is carried out in His name. How Jesus must weep when He sees those who claim to be His followers advocating violence and amassing armaments. This is not the way of the Prince of Peace.
     Jesus is our example. I cannot image Jesus taking up arms against someone.
     I haven't written this message to take up a position about any specific gun control legislation. I just want people to interpret the message of Jesus correctly and realize that Jesus is for peace and non-violence.
     Please, read the Sermon on the Mount. Within it you will see that rules of behavior that Jesus established for those who would be part of His kingdom. Jesus tells us within the Sermon on the Mount to love our enemies.
     Next week, we will continue with our series looking at the passage where Paul states "those who do not work shall not eat". On Monday, I will post the verses. On Wednesday, I will post a review of another good dog book. May God bless you all. Amen.

Book Review -- "Good Dog"

     The book that I am reviewing today is "Good Dog" written by Dan Gemeinhart. This book is written by the same author who wrote "The Honest Truth" which is a book that I also reviewed and recommended here on the blog.
     "Good Dog" is about a dog named Brodie. As the book begins, Brodie wakes up and finds himself in a place that is a paradise for dogs. Brodie has died, and he can't remember everything about his former life. There is one thing that he does remember. He needs to go back and help his boy who is in trouble.
     Brodie arranges to go back to earth as a spirit, and he is accompanied by another spirit dog named Tuck. Brodie has to find his boy and protect him from the danger that is coming his way. There is a catch. Brodie and Tuck only have a limited time that they can stay back on earth. If they lose all of their soul energy, they will be lost, and they can never go to "Forever".
     Over the course of the book, Brodie regains more and more of his memory. He realizes that his boy Aiden is in danger from his alcoholic father. Brodie and Tuck try to find Aiden, but they are hindered in their quest by a group of evil spirit dogs who want to drain their soul energy.
     I won't give anymore of the plot away. I just want to say a couple of things. The last part of this book really tore me up. It is a very emotional ending. Also, if you read the book "The Honest Truth", you will realize at the end of the book that their is a connection between the two books. It really surprised me.
     "Good Dog" is a book that is intended for younger readers. I believe that many younger readers will enjoy this book. I will give a heads up though. The book deals with domestic abuse, alcoholism and death. This might disturb some children. As I've said before, I like to read any good dog book. If you are like me, you will enjoy this book even if you are an adult. It is a very good story about a great dog not just a good dog.
     This book reminded me of my friend Toby. In life, Toby would have done for me what Brodie did for Aiden. You'll have to read the book to find out what that is.

Verses For The Week

Colossians 3:1 -- "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

II Corinthians 4:14 -- "Knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you."