Perhaps His Most Important Message

Possibly Yeshua's most important message was "The Kingdom of God is within you". Righteousness and peace can be found in all of us, if we take the time to look. The time of righteousness and peace comes when we accept it and practice it!

He Knew His Message was Controversial

Yeshua know that many would reject his message of love and understanding. He knew it would split families apart. He knew people. There are some that live away from love, that spread hurt. They are still with us.

A wonder if he realized that there would be entire nations that still recoil from his very name; where you can be killed by professing belief in his teachings. I think he would shake his head very slowly if he could see this.

Pray that peace, tolerance and understanding will one day come to this world. It was Yeshua's dream, 2000 years ago. It can still be ours.

Have a peaceful holiday season.

He Never Had A Home

Yeshua lamented that the life of a preacher meant he would never have a home. He never did settle down, marry, have his own kids. Then, all to quickly, he was gone.

Thankfully, sharing his words are a lot easier today. I invite you to share these blogs with your friends.

His words still need to be told. His guidance is still relevant. He promised it was the way to happiness, and he was right. How much simpler the world would be if we only would listen.

As the Holiday season nears I would like to invite you to consider  purchasing the work this blog is based on: "A Conversation With Yeshua". It's available on Amazon.com.  With it you can study and create your own personal theology, based on Yeshua's words.

Why Don't They Understand?

Even Yeshua was frustrated that the people of his time just couldn't understand his message. It was simple enough. But maybe it was too simple People were expecting something a lot more intense. His message really came down to three simple thoughts: Forgive others who hurt you; treat others like you want to be treated; and you are creating your own heaven or hell right now, based on your actions.

I guess it was too simple.

Support Your Church!

Yeshua told us, in no uncertain terms, that we should support the ministers and priests that teach his faith. If you are a church member, help your church with your time, talent and financial help. The economy has been bad for many of us, and this of course limits what we can do. Bu do whatever you can!

You will be blessed. And what more can we wish for?

When Yeshua was Wrong

Yeshua began his ministry among the Jewish people. He sincerely wished them to believe in his teachings and share his words. At the end of the day it didn't work out that way. He realized this and told his followers to go out and teach everyone who would listen. Thus, his teachings spread throughout world.

Today, some think that Christianity is on the ebb.  Churches are closing, people are no longer interested. There certainly are reasons for this: church scandals; perceived lack of relevance. But, Yeshua's core teachings still ring true. They offer a way of life that we all can live with and prosper from.

Share Your Faith!

Yeshua told us, in many of his sayings, that we should share our beliefs with anyone who would listen. We need to be practical and realize that, in this world we live in, many are not interested. They have their own lives and really are not interested in what we think. But if we do have a friend who is interested in faith, we should not be ashamed to share what we believe. The teachings of Yeshua (and you have read them all in these posts over the past several years) are simple. They can lead to a more rewarding life, no matter what your formal religious background is.

Teachings From The Creator

Yeshua told us that his teachings came from the mind of the Creator. If you were brave enough to risk what the rest of the world might may, you would share in the rewards that a righteous life would bring. A primary reward has to be peace of mind and conscience; knowing that you are doing what is right. There is merit in living a good life.

Living A New Way

Just returned from two weeks in Ireland.  Beautiful land, wonderful trip. Most of the country is rural. There seems to be a laid back lifestyle centered on still small villages. How different than what I experience day to day.

This brings to mind the quote from Yeshua that I wanted to share  this time. It "I bring you a new way to live".  Yeshua's way to live also centered on simplicity. I think he would have liked Ireland.

It's Harvest Time

It's harvest time for the fruits, berries and grapes here at my home, at the very edge of the Rocky Mountains. Today I am busy juicing three kinds of plumbs. Nest will come the grapes.

Remember Yeshua's story about new wine needing new wine skins? It's appropriate for the harvest season. What he probably meant to teach was that he was bringing his listeners new thoughts for the new times that were ahead. His ideas were radical, and eventually did change the way we look at the world. His thoughts are still relevant today, though all so many seem to have forgotten them.

Something Special

Yeshua's second statement leads us on, much like his first. He tells us we will be taught special things if we take the time to listen. Things that no one has thought of before. Things that can change our lives. A hint: I happen to know what they are, and they can be life changing, if you let them.

Let's begin the cycle again!

I think this may be a good time to once again begin the cycle of  Yeshua's 52 quotes. The first is simply that Yeshua will bring you true knowledge. He doesn't say where it is coming from, that will come later. For now, we are being asked to trust that he knows what he is talking about. I wonder how many of his actual listeners actually did believe him.  I'm sure many then are like people now. Perhaps interested enough to listen for a short time, but really not willing to really think about what Yeshua had to say. What he taught as strange and in many ways scary. Sometimes it's easier to just ignore.

The Pope's In Brazil

Have you seen the TV pictures of the Pope in Brazil? It appears millions are turning out to see him and hear his message. It really doesn't matter what faith belief system you have, we can all be impressed at how he is inspiring so many people. It makes me think of this quote for Yeshua: "The way of righteousness and peace is the ultimate way of life!"  How many of these millions will start living the way of peace? Let's hope that at last some of those hearing him will truly embrace his teaching.

Finding your faith

Sitting in church last week, I noticed a woman who obviously didn't want to be there. It was pretty obvious she came to sit with her parents, who looked like they were in their 70's, at least. I was reminded of Yeshua's thought : The ones who have lost their faith are the one's the Creator will show Himself to. I wonder if the Creator will help this woman re-find her faith? Let's hope so.

It's Too Hot

Here, at my home at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, it's 100 degrees. At my winter home in Arizona, it's 120 degrees. It's HOT! Fortunately, I am sitting in my air conditioned dining room. Quite a difference.

I know this is a bit of a stretch, but this situation does remind me of a quote from Yeshua: "The good and bad both live here on the Earth.  When the time is right, the Creator of All will gather the good back to himself. The bad will not be so lucky." Walking around outside earlier today, I think I know what the bad may be in for!

Try to live your life so that the final result will be  nice air conditioned room, hopefully also with a view.

Summer Brings New Life

At my home, at the place where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Basin, summer is here. Flowers are in bloom, crops are peeking through the soil and days are wonderfully long. I am reminded of this quote from Yeshua: "I bring you a new way to live." This is the time of year for the new. Why not try Yeshua's simple way to bring a new life to you and your loved ones.

Beautiful Colorado

I spent the past weekend visiting my son in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. Magnificant views all around. I am reminded of Yeshua's most important saying: "The Kingdon of God is within you and all around you."  Appreciate nature where ever you live. You can see Heaven in your surroundings if you only look. You can live the Kingdom of God if you will  commit to a life of righteousness and peace. Try it.

A Huge Lottery Winner

Can you imagine, someone in the state of Florida just won $600 million with a $2 lottery ticket! Amazing. Let's hope he or she can handle this. Yeshua certainly had his doubts. He made the statement that "The rich have no concept of righteousness and peace for all." How true that often is. Oftentimes the richer you are, the more arrogant you are toward your neighbors. Let's hope this new multi-millionare turns out to be the exception to the rule.

3 Lost Ones Found

The freeing of three young women kept in slavery for ten years in Ohio should cause us all to pause. "The good and bad both live on this Earth. When the time is right the Creator will gather the good back to Himself." These three girls have had the wonderful chance to be gathered back.
Let's hope the future eases their pain.

You Have Heard It Before

Since I last wrote there have been two more horrors in the U.S.: In Boston, the forces of madness again took rein and caused the death of three and the mutilation of over one hundred. In a small Texas town, apparent unsafe chemical storage took the lifes of 14 and the hurting of many more, as well a the destruction of many homes.

I want to repeat one of Yeshua's more telling quotes: "The ones who hurt the most are the ones the Creator of All loves the most."

I hope those hurt come to realize this.

One day I will be gone

The Easter message is one of death and re-birth. One of the things Yeshua said was "One day you will be looking for me, and I will be gone."

How many of us do not appreciate people  until they are taken from us. We perhaps do not appreciate the wisdom, kindness or humor of a person until it is too late. We are too quick to cast judgement without looking deeper into a person and what he or she can offer us.

Is this what followers of Yeshua felt when he was taken from them? As least we have his words, saved for 2000 years, to reflect on.

Happy Easter

Easter is the perfect time to share several of Yeshua's quotes, which I will do over the next several weeks. The one for today pertains to the Last Supper. He said  "When you partake of our ritual meal you are partaking of me. You are accepting me as part of you. You are acknowledging my teachings." This is how Yeshua wanted his followers to solidify their committment.  How many of us are ready to commit to a life following his simple thoughts? It's not as hard as some wojuld think.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday begins Yeahua's last jouney to Jerusalem. Soon he will chase the money lenders from the Holy Temple, symbolic of the change he was bringing. This leads to his quote"I bring you a new way to live".  Embrace change in your lives. Learn to follow Yeshua's simple teachings. Spring is the perfect time to try.

Springrtime in the Rockies

Springtime is finally coming to my home at the edge of the Rocky Mountains.  The spring-time bulbs are starting to show themselves, and the snow is finally disappearing from my yard. Almost time to begin outside work again.

As I survey the rapidly greening landscape I am reminded of this quote from Yeshua: "Knowledge of the Creator of All's design for the world will give you confidence to face the world."

Even with the dark times many of us see about us, look at the radience of the world, and know that the Creator had a hand in making it so.

Aim for the Simple

As we look at the complicated and often frustrating lives that many of us live, I am reminded of this quote of Yeshua's:
"You cannot follow the way of righteousness and peace and also follow the ways of the world."

This doesn't mean giving up the world and becoming a hermit or joining a monastary. It does mean living a simple life. Giving up what we really don't need. We all need balance.

As the Gospel of Thomas presents this quote: Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul. Woe to the soul that depends on the flesh.

As I work on my income taxes

Today I began the annual ritual of working on my U.S. and state income tax forms. After spending most of the day I sat back to see what Yeshua had to say about this. He did have an opinion, telling his followers to remember to give to Ceasar what is his, and to God what is his. Paul also reminded his readers to pay their taxes.

My interpretation of Yeshua's remark is  this: "Do not forget your responsibilities to others, but dedicate you life to the Creator of All." Remember that, at the end of the day, you will judged on how you followed the Creator's wishes.

Misguided People

Here is the United States we hear and read of murders every day, punchuated by mass killings of truly innocent people. Yet otherwise good people are detemined to make the entire country an armed camp, to protect themselves or protect their perceived rights. This is not following the teachings of Yeshua, who imply wanted a world of peace. Recall this saying of his: "So many just do not, or will not follow my message." Think how much better the world would be if we did. It always will be a dream.

One More NewYear's Post

New Year's Eve is a traditional time of partying and revalry. Here is an interesting quote from Yeshua from the Gospel of Thomas which just seems to fit in with the season:

"You have become intoxicated because you have drunk from the bubbling spring that I have measured out and given to you." This is mirrored, in a more resrtained way, in John's gospel in the quote: "He who drinks from the water that I shall give him will never be thirsty".

He is telling us that he is bringing us true knowledge.