New Year's Day is a time of Hope

As we welcome the new year, we do it  with feelings of hope. Hope for peace in the world, hope for a strengthening economy,hope for an end to the government madness that we see. There are numerous sayings of Yeshua that speak about hope. One of them that is particularly important is this:" Do not despair if you lose your faith. You are the one the Creator of All will show Himself to."  But you have to look!

The World Didn't End!

We passed through the silliness of the end of times predictions on December 21, as most of us knew we would. Yeshua told us the end will indeed come some day, but even he did not offer a prediction as to when.

We don't know if human kind will just disappear, through desease or war, or if the earth will be destroyed through some cosmic catastophy. We do know that Yeshua said that the creator would one day judge the good from the bad, and that our spirits will one day be gathered back or cast away.

More Dying

As I think about the terrible slaughter of the innocent children and their teachers this week, and try to imagine what Yeshua would have said I have come to the conclusion that he would have said nothing. He just wold have closed his eyes and cried.

Christmas is Approaching

In several weeks Christmas will be here. The weeks leading up to it are filled with the buying frenzy that always accompanys it. This is an appropriate time to step back and be reminded of one of Yeshua's thoughts: that the good news that he brought, of a world of peace and righteousness, should be shared to everyone.We certainly need it through out the world, as hatred due to religeous intolerance continues to cause pain and death.

A Neighbor's Passing

Two weeks ago, an elderly neighbor passed away. At 94, you have to expect this. But fortunately, she was spry and sharp up to three days before she died. She lived a sincere and content life. She lived the life of righteousness and peace that I have written about on this blog. How fortunate for her that she, early on, apparently found the Kingdom of God in her life, and lived it to the very end of her life.

Always Be Careful

Yeshua taught us that we should expect both the good and the bad in this world. There are good people and bad people. This reinforces what we all should know: Be careful in all our dealings with others, personal, business and financial.  Especially at times when we are vulnerable, such as after the death of a loved one. Find people that you can really trust. Value them more than gold.

Those who lose their faith

Yeshua taught us that the ones who lose their faith are the ones the Creator most cares for.Do you know people like this? Of course you do; we all do. You are doing the work of the Creator when you gently invite these people to once again appreciate the Creator's works.

At my home in the Rocky Mountains the  Fall colors are working their way down the mountains. Soon the trees at my home will be covered in yellow and orange. What a perfect time to rejoice in the simple glory of the Earth and the handiwork of the Creator.

More Tragic Deaths

As if the murders in Colorado were not enough, now the U.S has to face the additional tragic deaths in a Sikh temple. What would Yehua have said about the Sikh's, or indeed, about other competing religions? 

While Yeshua was strong in telling his followers to spread his words, and that his thoughts came from the mind of the Creator, and that he was frustrated that more people didn't beleive in him, he did not say that his way was the only way. This is important. It is a fact that has, unfortunatly, been ignored by geneations of religous leaders and followers. Other ways can also lead to the kingdom of God.

Jesus and the Rich

Here in the U.S, the next presidental election will likely be between our current president and a man of extrordinary wealth; possibly reaching $500 million.  Yeshua knew men of wealth in his time. Men who could influence the lives of many because of their wealth. Yehua had little use for them. Being wealthy did not mean you had recieved any special favors from God. In fact, Yeshua had a short and bitting comment on the wealthy. He said that the rich had no concept of the idea of righteousness and peace for all.  He proabably was right. I am afraid we see this all to often today. Things haven't changed in 2000 years.

The deaths in Colorado

How would have Yeshua reponded to the tragic murders in the state of Colorado? I think he may have responded like this:

'We all know there is evil in the world. The Creator has placed us all here, both the good and the bad. We have the freedom to do good or evil. Some day,when the time of final judgement comes, the evil will be remembered, as well as the good. But please remember, the ones who are hurt the most are the ones most loved by the Creator.'

In the coming weeks and months I will be looking at the events of the world and trying to see how Yeshua would have responded to them.

Lets start talking details

I have not been active on this site for several months, instead concentrating on my facebook page. However, I would like to start posting again, discussing Yeshua's teachings and what he really meant. Yeshua, of course is the Hebrew name for Jesus. This blog presented his actual teachings, which, in some ways are quite different from what is taught by most churches. Yeshua felt, to the bottom of his heart, that he had a special gift from the Lord of the universe and he had the responsibility to spread the message. And, the joy of it all is that the message is simple and practical. In the coming weeks I'll start talking about it and how we can live it.  Peace to you.

Week 52

This is the last and most important of Yeshua's sayings.

I will return.
 
I wonder when.  What will He think? Unfortunately things have not changed all that much in two thousand years.

We find this quote in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, as well as Pauls' writings.

Week 51

This week's quote from Yeshua has a mark of finality about it.

One day you will look for me and I will be gone.

We find this in the gospels of John and Mark.

Did Yeshua mean looking for him physicially, or spiritually?

Week 50

We are coming to a close on the 52 quotes of Yeshua. This one begins to summarize his teachings.

When you partake of our ritual meal you are partaking of me. You are accepting me and my teachings.

We find this message in the Gosples of Mark and John, and in Paul's first etter to the Corinthins.