What Are They Teaching Our Children?

I had a very interesting disturbing encounter the other day...I was out and about, getting some items for meal preps looming on the horizon.  One of the plans is for the event of Passover.  I was sorely disappointed that the store I frequent did not have any of the Kosher unleavened crackers that are used at the time of Passover.  Then, after seeing no crackers I proceeded to the jam aisle to look for mint jelly.  I wanted real mint jelly, not apple jelly flavored as mint.  Nope, nada, ZILCH! 

I am usually not one to complain to people when I am out and about, yea, on here...but really, when I am out and about, I try to not complain.  Especially for items that I for whatever reason cannot get at the store.  However, this time I made an exception.  They asked if I was able to get everything I needed and I decided to say something: "Something!"  They responded with (the clerk looked to be in his late 20s' early 30s' to me) and the young girl bagging my groceries looked about 20ish...maybe younger... It's really hard to tell.  Anyhow, the young man proceeds to tell me how he has never heard of Passover and I asked something about the Jews..."You've never heard of the Jews?"  The story of Passover which really is more than the story of the Jews but of the Israelites...I said to him, "You need to study your history!"  STUDY YOUR HISTORY!!!

So as the young lady and I proceed to go out to my car she asked more about Passover and WWII and said, "They do not teach that to us in school anymore."  "Really!"  I was really shocked that she really did not seem to know anything about WWII...and was very interested in Passover.  I look at the two very closely related...the extermination of the Jews in WWII and the Israelites being brought from enslavement to freedom by the exodus of the Israelites told about usually at this time of year, you know Easter, however, the real Easter is the Passover Lamb!  The sacrifice made that saved any and everyone during "The Pass Over." 

Jesus Christ, My Passover Lamb...

I was really excited I got to share with her the story of Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb, who came to restore us to right relationship with God, the Father.  The symbology of marking the doorposts with blood so that the Angel of Death would pass over the household therein.  The fact that Christ willingly laid down his life for me, a sinner, who could never repay the price or meet the requirements of the sacrifice.  A part of history of where over six million people died and they are not teaching this to our children...What are they teaching our children? 

The Worship of Tammuz

Do you ever find yourself reading your Bible, like a good Christian, and ask what was the worship of Baal; what was the worship of Tammuz?  What are the traditions of men that make void the Word of God? 

I have walked with the Lord for a long time, ever since I was a young child.  He has led me down paths and when I became a parent myself, I did have to ask myself, "Self, What are you going to let in to your children?"  I decided from day one that I was not going to lie to my children about:  The Easter Bunny, Santa, The Tooth Fairy, etc., etc.  If we read fairy tales, we did so with an intent to learn about literature.

Even though my children are grown, I still find myself in battles over the traditions of men.  I cannot open-heartedly jump in to the activities of the day.  If I would not do it with my own children, why would I want to do this with someone else's child?  It has brought pain in my life to stand on this principle in my life.  The enemy attacks vigorously with:  "See, you're just being fanatical on this issue..."  My own thoughts attack my mind.  Yet, I cannot with good conscious before the Lord celebrate Easter. 

When I first heard the pagan background of most Christian holidays, I was heart-broken.  First, I was heart-broken in how I thought something that would be pleasing to the Lord was, most likely, highly offensive to the Lord.  Secondly, I detest lying and to have been lied to and finding out the deceit and trickery involved, well...let's just say I never have a good reaction when I have been lied to about something.  So I hope that with telling you a couple of things about me, you will read for yourself and find truth for yourself.  I am on a mission of truth-seeking, truth-finding, and sometimes I just do not like the answers.  But there the truth is, as plain as the black and white text of your Bible or your app, or whatever colors you choose to paint your world.  Please understand that God's paint is the truth. 

Eze 8:14-15  Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.  Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

This explanation and writing tells much better than I can The Worship of Tammuz.  But if anything, it is a very good reason to study your classics including Greek Mythology...you will find it in your Bible. 

The Worship of Tammuz  ( please see for explanation of pagan worship)

Here are two more links that I hope you will read for yourself and more importantly look up the scripture references and see what your Holy Bible says about pagan traditions and worship that is pleasing to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Links:  More Information   Queen of Heaven
And Even More Information    A great intensive study of the Bible and Greek Gods


I make it a point to celebrate Resurrection Day and the Passover Feast to remind me of the great things Jehovah God has done for me.  I hope you will take time to learn about the above information and through prayer, reading of your Bible and being led by the Holy Spirit, decide what is right to do for you and your family.  I can no longer in good conscious celebrate Easter, or better known as Ishtar, the worship of the Babylonian Goddess Ashtoreth.  I can, however, whole-heartedly celebrate the Passover Lamb that God provided in His Son, Jesus Christ.  I  can celebrate that He died, rose again, and is alive today moving and intervening in our lives.  I celebrate Passover in remembrance of what He did for His people and I use it to remind me and encourage me that He is still doing so for us today.  He is alive and He lives.  The tomb is empty.  The grave could not hold Him.  He defeated the enemy and He is coming back again. And not only did he defeat the enemy, Satan, Jesus Christ took the keys to the Kingdom.  In the atonement, we not only have salvation, we have (fill in the blank.)

So you go ahead and have your Easter Ham (the wild boar that killed Tammuz).  I'm going to partake of lamb in remembrance of The One who sacrificed Himself so that we might be restored to a right relationship with God, Our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ! 

More verses on pagan deities: 

Jer. 7:18
Jer. 44
I Kings 11
Jdgs 2:11

And Even More...

1Co 10:21-22 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?








 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

March 17th is almost upon us...
 
I always look forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  I feel that it is one Holiday that all Christians should celebrate.  I never thought much about this particular holiday until home schooling my children.  As I studied to teach them the significance of St. Patrick's Day, I found out how much St. Patrick did for the cause of the Christian faith.  His life story is a testimony to an enduring faith in God...He escaped slavery and came back to his slave-masters to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.  He also did a lot to fight against the paganism that was so entrenched in 'the Isles.'  As a Christian, celebrating St. Patrick's Day is a day we should really take hold of and not let the enemy use for a day of other celebrations.

What are your colors?  History moment - There was a period of time where Christian faiths were battling each other...it is still a source of conflict to this day.  Every now and then, you will hear of a bombing in Ireland.  It goes back to this conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics.  The color orange was for the Protestants and the Green was for Catholics.  May God get his body of believers to join with each other rather than be at odds with each other. 


My favorite meal for this day in keeping with the traditions of men -

Corn Beef and Cabbage - MMMMM, MMMMMM!!

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, cut into wedges
4 large red potatoes, quartered
1 pound baby carrots (I use regular carrots as many as I might need five or six)
3 cups water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Bay leaf (I use two to three Bay leaves)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar unrefined
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 corned beef brisket with spice packet (2-1/2 to 3 pounds), cut in half
1 small head cabbage, cut into wedges       

Directions: 

 

 Place the onion, potatoes and carrots in a 5-qt. slow cooker.  Combine the water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet; pour over vegetables. Top with brisket and cabbage.  Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf before serving.

 

 

And last, here is a song for remembering the Irish Washer Women - It is a familiar folk song that people know the tune, but they do not know the meaning behind the song...History is intriguing to learn when you have perspective on the issues involved.  I hope to encourage to do your own study in learning more of our rich Christian heritage.

Sheet Music

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6hmqAHE1gkIrish Washer Woman

 

For your little people or adults, who like to color, here is a page of Shamrocks for you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 sources:  Irish Flag 

Shamrock Banner - created from free clipart source on Internet

 

 

 

Lift High The Standard .... Part Two

Some people have told me, "Don't be so negative."  "Get over it."  etcetera, etc.  So on the topics of accountability and lift high the standard why do I take such a stance?  Well, I shared some of my story on a Facebook post regarding the unemployment in America.  You will have to go there to see what I said, but I guess my  number one primary reason for the anti-bullying stance I have taken is that I saw those in leadership positions sit idly by and do absolutely nothing to help people who were or are being injured by such actions and sometimes were the ones bullying,

I truly was raised that you did not accept such behavior and you certainly did not sit by and watch it happen to others.  I have learned and am learning, however, that you cannot fight for everyone.  I was told you must let that person deal with it.  You are supposed to sit by and watch and keep your mouth shut.  Nope.  Not me.  You did it to me, I saw you do it to someone else, I saw leadership keep their mouths shut and not do a thing, and for evil to prevail is for good men to stand up and do nothing!!!

I decided I had had enough with watching those in authority, leadership roles, whatever part they played, stand by and do nothing.  (Insert from post where I shared an article on Facebook about the 95,000,000 unemployed Americans and where I fit in...)

This is where I fit in on the numbers count... "The Labor Department added that in November there were 1.9 million Americans marginally attached to the labor force or people who looked for work at some point in the last 12 months but were not in the labor force. Among the marginally attached were 591,000 discouraged workers or those who are not looking for a job because they do not think there is a job out there for them." 
 
My hubby and I spent around $4,000.00 to 'transition' my former career as a Medical Transcriptionist to a Medical Coder. I obtained a brief trainee session for six weeks but could not make the quality/production requirements required by the client. Yes, I passed my national CPC certification exam and the new ICD-10 proficiency exam. I had no experience as a coder. The training session was one of the most brutal experiences I have ever encountered while trying to learn a 'job'. After having a previous employer who makes billions steal from my paltry paycheck (research Medquist/transcriptionists law suit) while my dad was dying of brain cancer, experiencing my husband problems with a manager on the job resulting in the loss of his job due to bullying, experiencing my own bully manager and coworker, experiencing another bully episode in the above-mentioned training session, and seeing the overall industry lies in the healthcare profession, I decided to work in healthcare was no longer an option for me. After applying to another job and being told again I do not qualify, and as I am over 50, I really believe there is no job for me. I'm too old. An employer really does not know what they are losing when they don't hire me. I try my very best to do a job to the best of my ability. I am loyal to my own detriment. But I agree with my children, entrepreneurship is the way to go because I am not going to compromise my integrity for anyone.

Link to article - http://dailycaller.com/2016/12/02/record-95055000-americans-out-of-the-labor-force/

May I direct your attention to the Bible again and the story about the Samaritan.  I do not see the lesson of "You can't be involved in this, " being taught there.  What is the standard?  Help someone.  Not for anything you can get out of it, but just because it is the right thing to do.

I'm not angry.  I'm not bitter, well a little, but I am dealing with it and talking to God about it, and giving it to him minute by minute, day by day...but, BUT   I decided that someone had to do something.  That is why I am talking about accountability, standards, right vs. wrong. 

Not only did I watch my own children be hurt by such things, my husband, and myself, I also saw and are seeing neighbors who are being hurt by such attitudes and actions.  I have heard of yet another young person who took their life due to such actions.  How many is that now in our neighborhood?  Just watching the news unfold over the last couple of months...it is time for those who see it and do nothing to see it and starting doing something to correct the wrongs.  Not by becoming bullies themselves but by standing up and speaking out that such actions are wrong and they are going to make sure that whoever is behaving this way is called out on their wrong actions.  Employers, Bosses, Managers, Bullies at school, wherever this (we're in a stinking competition, competitive, name-calling, chicken peck order system attitude) that is going on and needs to stop. 

You, dear person who is reading this, are not better than the person next to you.  If they do their job well, and you don't do as well, don't make them pay because of that.  It's not their fault and you are not going to look better by trying to make them look bad.  You may temporarily get ahead, but one day, what you have done to them is going to come right back to you.  Yes, I am still that person who will stand up and fight for you.  I will also get in your face and tell you when you are wrong. 

Yes, we are to run that race and run it to win, but nowhere did the Bible say beat up your fellow person in order to win.  If that was the point you got out of that verse, you need to go back and read your Bible.  Yes, I'm sounding demanding.  Why?  I'm tired of being nice to people who turn around and are downright mean and worst of all, they say they are Christians.  That's one thing about a "Hall, once they've had enough, they've had enough. 

Lift High the Standard...

Along with accountability, I also am hearing Lift High the Standard.  Paul speaks to us about running this race to win.  We are instructed to lift up the standard as Christians.  Yes, Grace and Mercy have their place, but we must not lower the standard and then say it is acceptable because we have Mercy and Grace. 


    1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Run the race to win...Lift High the Standard...
Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Isa 62:7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Isa 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
Isa 62:9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
Isa 62:10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isa 62:12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Lift High the Banner of the Lord...


Psa 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Because...

Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

This does not sound like some 'walk in the park' journey. It sounds rough, hard, troublesome, but I find comfort with the verse that Christ speaks to us ...

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our salvation is not based upon works, but neither is it all grace, mercy and do whatever you want. 

When champions train for a competition, they put in long hours to obtain their goals.  They study hard.  Depending upon what they are training to win at, they may eat certain foods thereby depriving the flesh; or they may exercise for endurance, strengthening their muscles, lose weight, or gain physical capacities that go beyond a human body's capacity to achieve certain mile markers.  Again, they are subjecting their human body to a routine that will ensure they are a winner.  Nowhere in this process do they lower their goals.  Lowering their goals will ensure that they do not win thereby defeating their purpose. 

How much more as Christians should we lift high the banner of the Lord?  Better yet, as Christians, where should we set the goal for the banner?  I do not see anywhere where we are instructed to retreat, lower the goals, accept less than...We are in a battle, a spiritual battle and we have a real enemy who wants to destroy anything and everyone.  Not a physical battle with this world and its inhabitants, but a spiritual battle with soldiers that we cannot see without discernment from the Lord.  May we, as Christians, quit hiding behind the banner of Mercy and Grace and begin training as though we believe what our Bibles say rather than disbelieve God's Written Word. 






 

Accountability

The Lord has been speaking to me about accountability lately.  What does it, accountability, entail?  I have to say that this thought process has been happening over the past year.  A growth, a path, a journey to some place better, I hope...

I have heard a lot about grace.  Mercy and grace, mercy and grace.  Do not think me grateful for mercy and grace.  I will take mercy and grace over truth and justice any day, but, BUT - not at the expense of watching someone else be injured.  I know I come across sounding hard, but the truth - I have endured some hard things and all because someone did something that was not right and...nothing.  No accountability.  However, I am trusting God to make it right on all accounts.  So it has brought me to a path of , I love you, but have you considered what you are doing?  What you are doing, fellow brother/sister in the Lord?  Does it line up with God's Word?  These thoughts have been flying through my head for about six to eight months - Accountability, justice, truth, love. 

Ahhh, Love...everyone associates love with soft, fluffy, smells good, looks good, puffy clouds.  They have forgotten that sometimes, sometimes Love has to be tough.  Love has to say, "That's wrong.  Don't do it!"  Love has to discipline, "but I don't want to hurt them."  To not discipline is "to hurt them."  And where do you draw the line these issues?  In the light of eternity, before an angry God, do you (me) want to be told - you didn't cut it.  You did not do this for me.  I do not want to be in that position.  I jokingly refer to myself as one of the Black Sheep of the Flock.  In reality, it is not a joking matter. 

So my husband and I were going out for lunch and I see one of those electronic digital signs with a flashing message.  Hmmm, God are you speaking to me?  The sign said, "Accountability.  Self-control."  Instantly the accuser popped a thought in my head.  "Yeah, self-control. You have none."  Immediately, another thought countered, "I didn't walk over there and beat the living daylights out of you."  Yep, I would call that self-control...Yea for me!  Score!  But this event started a thought of process of accountability, self-control, what does Jesus want me to do?  I do not think he wants me to sit idly by and let evil reign havoc and destruction.  I do not think he wants me to be silent when I see evil instead of addressing it and saying, "that's wrong."  I do not think he wants his church to exit left and be like "God doesn't want us to deal with it."  God will deal with it. 

Lesson here - When Adam fell, he gave ownership of this earth to Satan.  So this earth no longer is God's because he gave Adam the caretaking of earth and Adam gave it to Satan by his sin.  However, because the earth is the Lord's and all the fullness thereof, the principle that God owns it is still there meaning that in the spiritual realm, through the power of Christ, if you are a Christian you have higher power and higher authority than Satan because Christ defeated Satan.  That is why what you speak is important.  If you go around saying, "I am sick, I am poor, and I am lost."  You get what you say; likewise, if you go around and say, " I am rich.  I am blessed.  I am healed."  You will be rich, blessed, and healed.  Likewise, God is not going to 'take care of it.'  He gave you, dear Christian, that responsibility and he expects us to do something - prayer, witness, protest if necessary...whatever it is that God tells you to do...but if you sit by and say, "God will deal with it."  Well...No, He won't!  Because he told you to.  We are his hands and feet on this earth.  He does it through us, his people. 

And then we start our Bible study by James MacDonald, "Downpour".  It has been a great study.  We're not finished with it yet.  I believe he is taking us down a path of accountability.  How much more are we going to tolerate sin?  We all want revival.  Revival happens when we realize how much we need Jesus.  We are all sinners who come short of making the mark.  Only Jesus helps us make the mark...Hmmm, God...What are you saying?  I sure wish people would stop hindering your Holy Spirit and let you operate as you will through who you wish to use.  That they would understand, it's not a power trip.  It's about an obedient servant who desires to do your will in their life.   

Thanksgiving, the Forgotten Holiday...

Thanksgiving, The Forgotten Holiday...

We see the mad dash start right before Halloween.  The holiday, which as a Christian, always gets me in to some kind of trouble because I refuse to celebrate it.  Then we fast-forward to Christmas forgetting the awesome testimony of Thanksgiving and the historic relevance it has to our country, the United States of America.  The one holiday that really should be celebrated by every melting pot of the ethnicity of every culture that chooses to call America home.   Why?  Well, let's dust off that old history book on the shelf of  - We always forget which is why we are doomed to repeat - repeat what - what we forget - Thanksgiving, the holiday which was established by the pilgrims who came to America seeking what ?  Religious freedom.  It is a holiday which should never be forgotten.  Most of all by Christians, yet I see many choosing to zoom right over Thanksgiving and let's get on to Christmas which is another pagan holiday incorporated in to Christianity because the Christians could never get the pagans to stop celebrating the holidays dedicated to their gods.  Ooops, here I go again, the Black Sheep of the Flock....