Week 49

As I usually do, I am writing this on Sunday, which also  is Christmas. The quote for this week is so appropriate for the day:

When you reach the point where you publicly believe in me and my teachings, then truly and be called a follower of mine."

We find this in the Gospels of Mark and John, as well as First Corinthians.

Week 48

Throughout Yeshua's ministry, He struggled for acceptable. This quote stresses that.

A prophet is not accepted by his own people.

We find this in the Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

Week 47

Remember the saying from Mark's gospel: It is not the healthy that need a doctor...? That is part of the basis for today's paraphrase quote.

I came to help those who need help.

We find this in three sources: The Gospels of Mark, John and the Gospel Oxyrhynchus 1224.

Week 46

As we begin to draw near the end of Yeshua's sayings, we see Him offering hope for all of us.

Knowledge of the Creator's design for the world will give you confidence to face the world.

This comes from the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 45

How true the following message is:

You are fortunate if you understand the ways of the Creator of All.

So deep, let so simple.

We find this in the Gospel of Thomas and the source material for Luke's gospel.

Week 44

This week's quote is one of hope.

The Creator of All will gather the good back to Himself.

Let us never lose faith.

We find this messege if John's Gospel, First book of Peter and the source material for Luke's gospel.

Week 43

Last weeks quote was controversial; this week's follows the same theme:

The good and the bad will live together on this Earth. When the time is right the Creator of All will gather the good back to Himself. The bad will not be so fortunate.

What does this tell us about the afterlife? Are we judged when we die, or at some undefined future date?

Unsettling thoughts. We find this in the Q Gospel, as well as the Gospels of Thomas and Matthew.

Week 42

Do you think the Lord is always watching over us? Do you believe in pre-destination? This is what Yeshua actually said:

The Creator of All has placed us on this earth and left us to grow on our own. When the ime is right He will gather us back to Himself.

We find this in the Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

Think about it.

Week 41

This week's message is another one filled with controversy:

You will be forgiven if you curse my name or the name of the Creator of All, but not if you curse His benevolent wishes for humanfind."

What do you think he meant?

We find this in the Q Gospel, as well as the Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

Week 40

For the past two Sundays I was away at my other home in Arizona, tending my grapefruit and visiting family. Now back at my home in the Rocky Mountains, I am enjoying the wonderful Fall weather as I harvest tomatos, grapes, apples and pears.

The message for this week is profound, and really gives a message that many churches might not want to hear.

You will not be judged by how well you keep arbitrary rules. You will be judged by how you act.

What does this say about all the rules some churches say you must follow?

We find this in the Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

Week 39

This is yet another message of hope from Yeshua, aimed at those who are seeking the Creator.

If you are sincerely looking for the Creator of All you will find Him. Prayers will be answered.

This thought is found in the Q Gospel, and the Gospels of Mark, John and Thomas.

As I sit on my deck, enjoying beautiful Fall weather, here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I can see the Creator in his creations all about me.

Week 38

This week's quote ties in with last week's. It seems to be addressed to all those who have given up, perhaps due to the ongoing economic crisis that just won't go away.

Do not despair if you lose faith. You are the one that the Creator of All will show Himself to.

We find this in the Gospel of Thomas and the Q Gospel.

Week 37

This week's messsage seems very appropriate as we remember the September 11 tragedy of ten years ago:

The ones who hurt the most are the ones the Creator of All loves the most.

We find this in the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Peace.

Week 36

More strong works from Yeshua. They serve as a warning to us about being very careful about the things we hear and who we hear them from.

The ignorant cannot teach the ignorant. They will lead you stray.

We find this in the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 35

This week's paraphrase quote seems to be a continuation of last week's:

Do not be a hyprocrite!

How many of us say one thing, and mean another?  How many of us pretend we are one thing, but in reality are another?

We find this thought in the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 34

I think we all can see the truth in this week's message from Yehua's teachings:

There are those who are evil inside although they try to hide it under a veneer of piety.

I'm afraid many of us have been exposed to "holier than thou" types of people, who, if the truth were to be know, have quite a bit of their lives hidden.  These are the kinds of insights from Yeshua that you never hear in your place of worship!

We find this teaching in the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 33

Once more, Yeshua's statement is blunt and to the point!

Divorce is evil.

We find this in 1st. Corinthians and the Gospel of Mark.

Yeshua did not leave any room for discussion on this matter.

Week 32

This week we continue with another controversial saying ofYeshua:

 If you have faith you will be rewarded with more. If you have little faith, you will lose it completely.

How many tmes in our religous lifes have we seen this very thing happen?

We find this in the Gosples of Mark and Thomas.

Remember these sayings are my interprtations of Yeshua's words. You need to explore and find your own meanings.

Week 31

This week's quote is another controversial one. Is Jesus really saying this? What does it say about the world? Are some people just born bad? You decide.

Good people will do good things, and the bad will do evil.

We  find this in the Q gospel and the gospel of Thomas.

Week 30

This week's quote is one of the most contriversial we will encounter:

The Creator of All will provide the necessities of life.

This is a good follow up to last week's message. This makes us think about how much we really need. Consider all you have and how much is really necessary for a meaningful life.

We find this message in the Q Gospel and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 29

This week's quote is short and to the point:

Do not trust earthly riches.

We all see how the world's economies and stock markets are faultering. Yeshua just seemed to know what was really important. Maybe it's time the rest of us start learning. 

We find this thought expressed in the source material for Luke's gospel, as well as the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 28

This week's message, as well as the next several, all point to the benefits of a life centered toward following the ways of the Creator.

You cannot follow the way of righteousness and peace and also follow the ways of the world.

We find this in the gospels of John and Thomas, as well as the Q Gospel.

Week 27

In this week's message, Yeshua gives us some practical advise. We all could live by these words:

Do not forget your responsibilites to others, but dedicate your life to the Creator of all.

We find this expressed numerous times, including in the Gospel's of Thomas and Mark, the Didache, Paul's letters to the Romans and Ephesians, and it 1 Peter.

Week 26

This weeks message is another of the classic thoughts of Yeshua:

Forgive those who want to hurt you.

We find this in the Q Gospel, the Epistle to the Romans, the Gospel Oxyrhynchus and the Didache.

Turning the other cheek is one of the hardest things for a person to do.

Week 25

This week's quote is one of the better known of Yeshua's sayings, and one of the core teachings of many of the world's faiths:

Care for others as much as you would care for youeself.

We find this in numerous references, including the gospels of Mark, John and Thomas, as well as Galatians and the Didache.

Week 24

Righteousness is again the topic of this week's quote.

To begin living a life of righteousness and peace you must forget how you have been taught to live, and look at the world as a child would, innocent of the world's evils.

A difficult request in this modern age.

This thought is recored in the gospels of Mark, Thomas and John.

Week 23

This week's message returns to Yeshua's theme of righteousness and peace:

The way of righteousness and peace is the ultimate way of life!

And I think we all know, in the bottom of our hearts, that it indeed is.

We find this week's quote in the Q Gospel, and the Gospel of Thomas.

Week 22

2000 years have proven this prophesy of Yeshua to be true:

Although many reject me, my ideas will prevail.

We find this in the Gospels of Mark and Thomas, and in the epistle called 1st. Peter. I hope you have a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Week 21

This week's post again shows that Yeshua was speaking to the common peple of his era. The message he gives us, unfortunately, still rings true.

The rich have no concept of righteousness and peace for all.

Mark, Thomas and the Q gospel all share this message.

Week 20

The idea of a time of righteousness was central to Yeshua's teachings. This week's message continues the theme.

When the time of righteousness and peace comes, those who consider themselves important will lose their importance. The innocent will lead the way.

This was radical then, and it is radical now.

We find this statement in both the Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

Week 19

Happy Mother's Day!  This week's paraphrase quote from Yeshua continues the theme begun on Easter:

The idea of living a life of righteousness and peace will begin within a small group, but over time will grow and provide comfort to many.

This thought is expressed in the Gospels of Mark and Thomas and the Q Gospel.

There are over one billion Christians alive on the Earth. How many are living the life of righteousness and peace?

Week 18

After numerous fits and starts, I think Spring has finally come to my Rocky Mounain home. The fruit trees are blooming and the tulips are finally opening. Let us all hope and pray for good weather throughout the Country, particularly in the southeast.

This week's quote continues on the great theme begun last week.

When you discover the way of righteousness and peace, embrace it with your whole being.

This we find in the source material of Matthew and the Gospel of Thomas.

Peace.

Week 17

Today is Easter Sunday, the holiest day in the Christian calendar. The day to celebrate Yeshua and his teachings!

This week's message is indeed one of his most important, and the one that has influenced me the most in my 30 plus year's of serious study of comparitive religions.

Righteousness and peace are not some abstractions. They are not found by looking around and waiting for them to come to us. They are found within all of us, although we may not realize it. The time of rightousness and peace comes when we practice it.

These thoughts are found in the Gospel of Thomas, the source material of Luke and the writings of Paul.

Alleluia!

Week 16

Today is Palm Sunday; the day celebrated as the day Jesus came to Jerusalem for the final time. This was the climax of his ministry.  We can see this in this week's quote.

What I am teaching will cause a revolution! It will separate families.

We find this in the Gospel of  Thomas, the Q gospel and from an independent Luke source.

His message certainly did cause a revolution, throughout the world.  The world has never been the same since.

Week 15

This week's message starts a theme that being a follower of Yeshua is not necessarily easy.

Following my teachings is dangerous, but the reward is everlasting.

We find this expressed in the gospels of Mark and John.

Even today, in many parts of the world, being a Christian is dangerous. It is one of the great sadnesses of this world; that people are still persecuted for what they believe.

Week 14

This week's message continues showing some of Yeshua's frustrations.

Many will violently reject my teachings.

I am sure we all can appreciate His feelings, especially when we try to show others a better way of doing things, but find that people just do not want to accept what we offer.

This message is found in both the Gospels of Mark and John.

Week 13

The thirteenth week of the year finds me at my second home, in sunny Arizona. I am fortunate to be visitng with my daugther and her family.  Yeshua never had this opportunity, as can be seen in this week's quote:

Sharing my message means I will never have a permanent home.

We find this thought expressed in both the Q gospel and the Gospel of Thomas

Week 12

This weekend marks the beginning of Spring. At my home in the Rocky Mountains we are pruning the fruit trees and grapevines, and waiting for the ground to dry so that our garden can be tilled and planted.

This week's quote from Yeshua unfortunately follows the frustration we saw in last week's posting:

So many just do not or will not understand or follow my message.

We find this thought expressed in numerous sources: The gospels of Thomas and Mark; the Edgerton Gospel; the Q Gospel; and another document I call the "Luke Source". This is material that appears in Luke that cannot be identified with either the Q or Mark's gospels.

My book, "A Conversation With Yehua" continues to be available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and several on-line Christian book sellers.

Week 11

This week's quote shows Yeshua's frustration, but also a change in his vision.

The ones who I thought would welcome my message have rejected it. I will teach it to the rest of humanity.

Spring has come to my home in the Rocky Mountains. I hope it has reached your home also.

 Let us also pray for all those in Japan, who have been affected by the recent earthquake.

Week 10

This week's quote from Yeshua was important enough to be passed down by three independent sources. It's easy to see why.

Those who receive my message should help support my messengers.

Practical teaching.

We find this in the Q gospel, Paul's letters and the Didache.  This is  the first of several quotes we find in the Didache. Read more about this in my book, "A Conversation With Yeshua".

Peace.

Week 9

This week's quote is  a change of pace for the ones posted during the last three weeks, which talk about being missionaries. It's short and to the point.

Be strong in your beliefs.

We find this in the gospels of Mark and Thomas.

The end of February always finds snow rapidly melting in the valley where I live, at the point where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Basin. It's this way again, this year. Although we had snow yesterday, it is just about gone today.  I hope spring is coming to your home.  

Week 8

This week's quote is also about speading Yeshua'a message:

There are many ready to believe. We need to reach them.

We find this in the Q gospel, and the gospels of Thomas and John.

This continues the theme from weeks 6 and 7, about the need to be a missionary.

As I write this snow is falling on my orchard and vineyard. Just beyond, several horses are pawing the snow, trying to get to grass that was just beginning to green up, after a week of 50 degree weather.

Unfortunately, it's time for me to start shovelling my driveway.

Peace.

Week 7

This week's message is similar to lasts:

Spread my message to whoever will listen!

We find this in the Q gospel, as well as the Gospel of Thomas.

I am pleased to add that Better World Books has picked up distribtution of my book, "A Conversatin With Yeshua".  I would like to thank them for helping to share Yeshua's original words.

May you all have a good week.

Week 6

The sixth week of the year brings us another encouraging statement from Yeshua:

The good news I bring should be shared with all.

We are all called to be missionaries.

This comes from two sources: The Gospels of Mark and Thomas.

May you have a good week.

Week 5

This week's quote came from a number of sources, so it very likely originated with Yeshua.

My teachings come from the mind of the Creator. If you follow them you will share in the rewards of a righteous life.

We find this in the following books:

The gospels of Matthew, John, Thomas and Mark.

Week 4

It's hard to realize that January is almost gone. While much of the country has suffered through a harsh winter, here in the Rocky Mountain valley where I make my home, we have been blessed with unusually mild weather. All our snow has melted, at least for a while. Yeshua's quote for this week evokes an early spring.

I bring you a new way to live!

This comes from three sources, The gospels of Thomas, Mark and John.

My book, "A Conversation with Yeshua" is now available from BarnesandNoble.com, amazon.com, e-booktime.com and Christian on line distributors. Consider buying it to see all the source material and background commentary

Week 3

This weeks paraphrase of Yeshua's thoughts is taken from the gospels of Thomas and Mark. It really stresses how Jeshua's goal is to change the way people act. It reads:

What I am teaching are new thoughts, for new times.

To see my source material, and determine if you interpret it the way I do, please go to the book: A Conversation with Yeshua, available from e-booktime.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and other on line book sellers.

Week 2

The second saying I want to share is this:

You are being taught special things.

This is found in both the Gosepel of Thomas and the Q gospel. The Q gospel provided much of the source material for the gospels of Mark and Matthew.

Week 1

Happy New Year!

The 52 sayings identified in "A Conversation With Yeshua" can form the basis of a year long personal meditation. With that in mind, each week I hope to post a saying for you to reflect on. Remember that these are my interpretations of the the oldest stratum of Jesus sayings. You might interpret Jesus' actual quotes differently.

I am pleased to note that, as of the New Year, my book is available through BarnesandNoble.com , as well as e-booktime.com . I certainly invite you to visit these sites. Having the book will let you personally interpret the sayings of Jesus.

Saying #1- I will bring you true knowledge.

This is recorded in the gospels of John and Thomas, and the Edgerton Gospel. Yeshua is confident that he is a messenger of God.